The Clark County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man following a crash at about 1:30 p.m. July 3 near the Washington State University Vancouver campus, according to a news release.
Deputies responded to a report of an overturned vehicle at the intersection of Northeast 29th Avenue and Northeast 145th Street. It was reported that a gold-colored minivan was involved and the driver ran from the vehicle towards the WSU campus to the east of Northeast 29th Avenue.
Further investigation by deputies revealed the gold minivan was traveling at a high rate of speed southbound on Northeast 29th Avenue and collided with a vehicle it was attempting to pass. The minivan continued southbound striking a residential retaining wall and subsequently flipping over coming to a stop in the roadway, according to the sheriff’s office. The concrete debris from the retaining wall collision was propelled into a parked vehicle at a residence, severely damaging that vehicle.
Witnesses provided a description of a male suspect who ran eastbound onto the WSU campus to flee the scene. Sheriff’s deputies and WSU police contained the area of the campus to begin a search.
“A sheriff’s office deputy using a drone spotted a subject in the tree line at the southwest corner of the WSU campus,” the sheriff’s office stated in the news release. “K9 deputy and his partner were directed to this area and after a short search a male subject was located by sheriff’s office K9 Riggs hiding in the brush. The male located matched the description of the suspect who ran from the collision.”
Area resident Rocky D. Lovelady, 23, was positively identified as the suspect who ran from the vehicle. Witness descriptions and video evidence confirmed Lovelady was involved, according to the sheriff’s office. Lovelady was assessed by medics on scene. He was then transported to an area hospital for medical care.
While at the hospital, Lovelady assaulted hospital staff while being treated, according to the sheriff’s office.
Lovelady was booked into the Clark County jail for third-degree assault, felony hit and run with Injury, driving under the influence, reckless driving, hit and run property damage and second-degree driving with a suspended license.
– The Reflector
