Extra patrols target impaired drivers

Landon Kush Suspect in auto theft case

Extra police officers will be looking for impaired drivers for the rest of this week.

And New Year’s revelers are warned to take precautions to avoid being arrested, such as riding with a sober driver or taking a cab.

Hosts are asked to serve nonalcoholic drinks to designated drivers, and to make sure no one who’s been drinking drives home.

That could include calling a cab or letting the drinker stay overnight, according to a bulletin from Kim Kapp, spokeswoman for the Vancouver Police Department.

Some folks have even grabbed a drinker’s car keys, according to The Columbian’s files.

The police emphasis is called X52, meaning that such crackdowns can happen any week of the year, using overtime money from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.

Besides arresting drunk drivers, some officers have special training that allows them to evaluate drivers who are impaired by drugs, legal or illegal, and sold by prescription or over the counter.

Drug-impaired drivers also can be arrested for DUI.

Drunken driving is the leading cause of fatal collisions, according to the Washington State Patrol.

A first-time conviction for DUI can easily cost $8,000 in fines, fees and attorney bills.

For more information, visit the Washington Traffic Safety Commission’s Web site, www.wtsc.wa.gov.

Vancouver police are looking for a 30-year-old man suspected of stealing a black Ford Mustang from the Hertz rental lot at Portland International Airport.

The suspect, Landon Kush, currently has an outstanding parole violation warrant and there is probable cause to arrest him for possession of a stolen vehicle, attempting to elude a police officer, and reckless driving, according to a news release.

The car was reported stolen Dec. 26 and photos of the suspect were distributed to officers. The next day a patrol officer spotted the car and the driver, and tried to make a traffic stop. However, the suspect sped away, sliding through the slush and snow.

Anyone with information on Kush’s whereabouts is asked to call 911 or the Vancouver Police Department at 360-487-7355 or 360-487-7500.

Detectives are asking the public to help identify a body that was found on the Columbia River shore four miles west of Longview. Foul play is suspected.

A fisherman reported finding the man’s body Wednesday morning, just downstream from the Willow Grove Boat Launch, according to a bulletin from the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office.

Because of evidence found at the scene, the death is being investigated as a homicide.

Anyone with information is asked to call Sgt. Joe Reiss at 360-577-3092. Callers can remain anonymous.

John Branton: 360-735-4513 or john.branton@columbian.com.