A Vancouver man who led police on a pursuit, crashing into parked cars and the front porch of a house, was sentenced Friday to more than two years in prison.
Douglas Atkins, 42, previously pleaded guilty in Clark County Superior Court to amended charges of attempting to elude police and two gross misdemeanors — fourth-degree domestic violence assault and driving while under the influence.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Vancouver police officers responded to the 3300 block of Grand Boulevard shortly before 10 p.m. Dec. 1 for a report of a disturbance. Upon their arrival, a man, later identified as Atkins, drove south at speeds in excess of 60 mph. He hit a parked car while fleeing.
Several patrol cars gave chase, but Atkins refused to stop. He ran a red light at the intersection of Grand and Mill Plain boulevards and nearly struck a pickup, the affidavit said.
Atkins’ vehicle drove off of the road in the 500 block of Grand Boulevard and through the porch of a house, police said. The vehicle then went airborne, crashed into two parked cars and careened down an embankment, landing against an apartment complex.
Court records show that the incident began after Atkins punched a woman in the face. She declined to cooperate with police, the affidavit said.
On Thursday, the prosecution said Atkins still had a blood-alcohol level of 0.26 hours after the crash.
Deputy Prosecutor Luka Vitasovic said it was “blind luck” that the situation wasn’t more serious.
Atkins apologized for his actions.
Judge Robert Lewis sentenced him to the high end of the range, 29 months. He said he made that decision because Atkins has a prior attempt to elude and a lengthy criminal history. Atkins was sentenced to 364 days on the gross misdemeanors, but that time was suspended for two years as part of his plea deal.
Atkins was given credit for 86 days in custody. He agreed to pay restitution, but an amount has not yet been set.
