Pursuit Ends in Injury Collision in Walla Walla
A pursuit of two wanted suspects in a stolen car ends in an accident that injures three people in Walla Walla, including the two wanted individuals.
Multiple law enforcement agencies are investigating the crash that happened around 3:30 p.m. at South Howard Street and Bryant Avenue.
Below is the official release from the Walla Walla police department.
A stolen vehicle being driven by a wanted subject crashed this afternoon at about 3:20 at the intersection of Howard and Bryant Avenue in Walla Walla. The stolen 1990 Honda Accord was being driven by Vernon Ray Johnson, 31, with Miranda R. York, 22, in the passenger seat. Both subjects have warrants for their arrest. They struck a 1971 Chevrolet pickup being driven by Walla Walla resident Jeffrey H. Callow, 62.
All three subjects were taken by ambulance to a local hospital. Callow’s injuries are believed to be the least serious. The conditions of York and Johnson are unknown at this time, with Johnson’s injuries being the most serious with severe head trauma.
Walla Walla Police had received a call that Johnson, who is a suspect in several pursuits while driving stolen vehicles in the Valley and also in Idaho, had been seen driving a white Honda Accord in the east end of the city at about 3:10 this afternoon. An officer observed the vehicle in the area of Wilbur and Alder a few minutes later. Johnson immediately began to flee from the officer.
The pursuit continued south and then westbound on Bryant Avenue. Johnson failed to stop at the stop sign at Howard, striking the northbound pickup driven by Callow. Callow’s vehicle rolled twice into the yard at the northwest corner of the intersection.
Officers were able to assist Callow in exiting through the back window of his vehicle as it caught on fire.
The Washington State Patrol is handling the collision investigation.