Two arrested in DUI-related crashes

ST. JOHN — Deputies had their hands full with drivers allegedly under the influence of alcohol June 17 after the conclusion of sprint boat racing.

At around 6:15 p.m., Whitman County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a one-car, rollover crash with several occupants of the vehicle injured.

Records show deputies arrived at the Webb’s Slough campground area, 4480 Rogers Road, and found a 2005 Chevrolet pickup on its side.

Emergency personnel were assisting the injured occupants of the pickup.

Deputies spoke with the driver, Tanner D. Berzett, 23, of Asotin. He told deputies he was going too fast and punched the accelerator to swing the pick-up’s rear end around, records show. The pick-up started bouncing and it to overturn, injuring two of his five passengers.

Deputies noticed Berzett showed signs of impairment while they spoke with him, records show.

One passenger was flown by helicopter to Spokane; medical personnel determined the passenger had several fractures, records show. Another passenger was taken by ambulance to the Colfax hospital and treated for a fracture.

The other passengers had minor or no injuries, records show.

Berzett was arrested for driving under the influence and two counts of vehicular assault, records show. He was booked into the Whitman County Jail in Colfax.

Deputies and EMS were called out again to Webb’s Slough just before 10 p.m. Saturday for a second incident involving severe injuries.

The driver of a side-by-side was transporting several passengers when one of the passengers fell from the moving vehicle, records show. The injured person was flown via Life Flight to Sacred Heart Hospital and is currently in serious condition.

The driver, Scott Rollins Beck, was arrested for driving while under the influence and booked into the Whitman County Jail, records show. The case is still under investigation.

At press time, Beck was being held without bail through Whitman County District Court, records show..At the same time, Berzett was being held without bail through Whitman County Superior Court.