ELLENSBURG, WA – A Yakima man was arrested Sunday night after allegedly attempting to set a Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office detective on fire during a traffic stop in the Yakima River Canyon.
At approximately 9:40 p.m., a uniformed KCSO detective contacted 56-year-old Richie A. Davis near milepost six of SR 821. Davis was parked in a red Ford Aerostar registered to him. Deputies learned that Davis had outstanding warrants for DUI from Chelan County, Malicious Mischief from Union Gap, and Assault from Spokane.
According to the sheriff’s office, the detective spoke with Davis through the passenger-side sliding door while Davis sat in the back seat. Davis then allegedly produced a bottle of lighter fluid and sprayed it at the detective’s face and chest.
The detective stepped back, and Davis moved to the driver’s seat. When the detective deployed a Taser, Davis was temporarily immobilized but fell forward, causing residual accelerants on his clothing to ignite. Davis then reportedly threw a piece of flaming material toward the detective before driving away north on SR 821 toward Ellensburg.
The detective pursued, joined by other deputies, Washington State Patrol troopers, and Ellensburg Police Officers. Troopers successfully deployed spike strips to disable the van’s tires, and the detective performed a PIT maneuver to stop the vehicle. Davis was taken into custody without injury.
He was booked on his existing warrants and on recommended charges of felony eluding and attempted murder. Both Davis and the detective were unharmed.
The Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office thanked WSP and local law enforcement partners for their assistance in resolving the incident safely.