Washington deputy admits driving drunk through fatal crash scene

A Washington State sheriff’s deputy pleaded guilty Thursday to felony criminal endangerment and driving under the influence in Flathead District Court on Thursday.

Brandon Hoover, 29, admitted he had been drinking when he drove through the scene of a fatal car crash, struck a vehicle and attempted a high-speed getaway from local police on Thanksgiving Day last year.

Hoover accepted a plea agreement for a three-year deferred sentence for criminal endangerment, and a six-month suspended sentence for a misdemeanor DUI before Flathead District Court Judge Amy Eddy.

Hoover also reported to the court that he had submitted a letter of resignation to the Stevens County Sheriff Department based in Colville, Washington earlier this week.

Stevens County Sheriff Kendle Allen previously told the Daily Inter Lake that Hoover had been put on administrative leave as a result of his charges. The sheriff was not immediately available to confirm Hoover’s resignation.

Hoover told the court he had gotten in a fight with his girlfriend and made a series of bad decisions on Nov. 23, 2017. Hoover said he had been drinking and was looking down at his phone when he drove through a crash scene that was being investigated by emergency responders. Hoover said he clipped a vehicle. Then he admitted to reaching speeds of almost 100 miles per hour as he attempted to flee the scene.

The Montana Highway Patrol trooper who wrote the police report stated that Hoover came close to hitting firefighters from the Creston Volunteer Fire Department responding to the accident scene on Montana 35.

The trooper reported when he started the pursuit, he wasn’t sure whether or not Hoover’s Dodge pickup had struck another vehicle or a firefighter directing traffic.

Hoover allegedly drove his pickup off the road and into a field, taking out a fence, before he returned to the road and surrendered to law enforcement. Hoover reportedly provided a breath sample of .0178, more than twice the legal limit.

In court, Hoover acknowledged he engaged in behavior that created a substantial risk of death or serious injury to others.

Judge Eddy accepted the plea agreement and the Washington State man was released back on his own recognizance. Eddy denied Hoover’s attorney’s request to remove his alcohol monitoring device.

Hoover’s official sentencing date is set for April 26.

Reporter Breeana Laughlin can be reached at 758-4441 or blaughlin@dailyinterlake.com.