Crackdown on unsafe driving in Douglas and Chelan counties

With the recent increase in serious collisions on highways 2 and 97, Douglas County Sheriff's deputies and Washington State Patrol troopers partnered over the past weekend to conduct a focused patrol on this stretch of highway.

A stretch of the highways in Douglas and Chelan counties have been the scene of several significant collisions in recent months, including a tragic two-vehicle crash on August 30th that claimed five lives and a rear-end crash that killed one man last week.

 “Just a few hours into the emphasis, WSP received a report of an erratically driven vehicle in the area and was able to make contact and arrest the driver for DUI,” said Trooper Jeremy Weber. He added that the goal of the increased patrols was to increase visibility, make traffic stops, and promote public safety.

Throughout the emphasis patrols, deputies and troopers conducted more than 495 traffic stops, resulting in 130 traffic infractions, 8 criminal citations, and 3 DUI arrests.

Early in the emphasis, a Douglas County Sheriff’s deputy stopped a vehicle traveling approximately 120 miles per hour.

“DCSO has worked diligently over the years to participate in HiVE patrols and appreciates our continued relationship with WSP in helping provide traffic safety to the citizens and visitors traveling on Douglas County roadways,” said Sheriff Tyler Caille. “Traffic safety is a shared responsibility, and increased enforcement helps remind drivers that their choices behind the wheel have life-changing impacts.”