Brawling Car Theft Suspect Triggers Chase, Then Crash, then Fight

Early-Morning brawl leads to Chase, crash, and fight with officers

Kennewick Police responded to a call about two men fighting at a business at the corner of East 1st. and  South Gum Street in Kennewick, which led to a brief but high-speed chase. (Gum turns into Chemical Drive-SR 397)

As the officers were responding, they learned the two parties involved had left in separate vehicles, one a white SUV, the other a black or dark-colored SUV.

A witness said both vehicles headed south on SR 397 (Chemical Drive) towards Finley. One KPD Patrolman near 3rd and S. Nutmeg saw the two vehicles and gave chase.

  Chase quickly escalated to dangerous

Both vehicles turned south onto S. Oak Street, at which point the officer turned on his lights and attempted to pull them over. However, the driver of the dark SUV suddenly accelerated and passed the white vehicle so closely and abruptly it nearly caused it to go off the road and cause an accident.

Both continued at a high rate of speed, at which point the officer terminated the pursuit due to safety concerns. The two vehicles were last seen heading on East 7th towards Finley.

 This is when it got really crazy

A short time later a Benton County Sheriff's Deputy reported seeing the two vehicles racing fast near East Finley Road and South Havana Street, then they apparently crashed into each other at SR 397 and East Bowles Road. WSP Troopers now responded as well, as the two suspects were seen fleeing east on foot.

The driver of the dark SUV then proceeded to steal a silver Buick and left the area. Then around 10:35 AM, a call came in about a white Subaru that had been stolen from the 3100 block of South Olympia. It seems the driver of the dark SUV, the one who stole the Buick, left that vehicle running and jumped in the homeowner's Subaru, and fled.

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However, the victim was able to climb in the Buick and follow their car. The suspect driver, identified as 31-year-old Digoberto Galvez, then got into another crash at the intersection of S. Cascade and S. Highland Drive.

  Suspect then puts up tremendous fight with police

When police, deputies and WSP arrived, Galvez was arrested but then began violently resisting, according to KPD:

"While enroute to the hospital, The suspect moved their handcuffs to the front, laid down in the back of a patrol vehicle, and used both of his feet to attempt to kick out the rear passenger side door. The suspect nearly kicked the door open, and the window was broken out, and the door was not properly on the frame. The damage was preventing the front passenger door from opening. The officer sitting in the front passenger’s seat was forced to exit through the window due to the damage to the vehicle."

Galvez was restrained again, but near 27th and South Union streets, he again was able to remove the leg restraints, laid down and kicked hard at the rear passenger window. The transporting officer requested more units and Pasco PD brought over their full-body wrap restraint which was used to finally subdue the suspect.

No word was given if authorities believe he was on drugs or other substances contributing to his behavior. The list of charges he is now facing include:

"Attempt to Elude, DWLS 3rd, Vehicle Theft, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Hit and Run, Dangerous Weapons Violation, 2 counts of Malicious Mischief 1st, 2 counts of Assault 3rd Degree"

The investigation continues.