Short Video Clip of Body Cam when the Deputy was rammed and attached pictures. Sheriff’s YouTube Channel and Facebook Page
Reckless Driver Attempts to Elude Deputies and Rams Fully Marked Patrol Car, Deputy and Suspect Evaluated for Minor Injuries
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Deputies attempted to stop a reckless driver in a car without license plates. The suspect tried to evade Deputies but found himself on a dead-end road, made a U-turn, and accelerated away from the lead Deputy’s fully marked patrol car. Then, the suspect rammed into the front of a second Deputy’s fully marked car, who had slowed and attempted to turn off the roadway to try and avoid a collision. The suspect was taken into custody on felony charges. Both the suspect and the Deputy were evaluated at the hospital and later released with what appeared to be minor injuries. The suspect was booked into the jail for Attempting to Elude a Law Enforcement Vehicle and Assault 2nd Degree. With Fentanyl and Methamphetamine believed to be inside the vehicle, it was seized pending a search warrant.
On July 29, 2025, at approximately 2:20 pm, a Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputy, driving a fully marked patrol car, observed a white Chevrolet Cruz driving on E. Trent Avenue west of N. Pines Road He attempted to get behind the vehicle to conduct a traffic stop as it turned north on Pit Road at a high rate of speed and continued east on Portland Avenue.
As the Deputy turned onto Portland Avenue, he observed the suspect, later identified as 40-year-old Matthew D. Gardner, turn north on Cement Road at a high rate of speed while failing to stop for the stop sign.
After seeing the suspect’s reckless behavior, the Deputy activated his emergency lights and siren as Gardner turned west on Trent Avenue. Gardner drove into the center turn lane and reached speeds of approximately 80 mph (posted 50 mph zone). With light traffic and no pedestrians in the area, coupled with Gardner’s reckless and dangerous behavior prior to the Deputy attempting to conduct a traffic stop and after, the Deputy advised he was in pursuit.
As the Deputy continued to access and provide updated traffic/road conditions, speed, and location, via radio, Gardner turned north on Boeing Road.
As a second Deputy joined to assist, while additional Deputies worked to set up spike strips to end the pursuit.
Gardner turned west on Grace Avenue, north on Maple Road, and then east on Frederick Avenue, failing to stop at stop signs. At the dead-end of Frederick Avenue, Gardner utilized a driveway to conduct a U-turn. He accelerated back westbound, away from the lead patrol car and toward the second Deputy’s patrol car. The Deputy slowed and tried to turn off the roadway to avoid a collision, leaving plenty of room, but Gardner rammed into the front of the patrol car and continued into the side of a parked SUV. The impact caused the Deputy’s airbags to deploy, in addition to extensive damage to the reinforced PIT bumper and front end of the patrol car.
Deputies gave commands and took Gardner safely into custody.
Gardner was advised of his rights and agreed to answer questions. He initially said he didn’t realize law enforcement was attempting to stop him, but also said he ran because he was scared. He later admitted that he fled because his vehicle wasn’t registered and there was Fentanyl and Methamphetamine in the car. He said he thought only one Deputy was chasing him, not two, and when he turned around at the dead-end, he figured the Deputy would move out of the way, letting him go past. He denied intentionally crashing into the second patrol car.
Both Gardner and the Deputy were evaluated at the hospital and later released after sustaining minor injuries.
A check shows Gardner has been arrested and booked into jail three times just this year alone, only to be released on his own recognizance.
- 3/11/2025 warrant for charges of Malicious Mischief 3rd Degree (DV), Trip Permit Violations, and Possession of a Controlled Substance
- 06/14/2025 warrant for Malicious Mischief 3rd Degree (DV)
- 07/14/2025 warrant for Trip Permit Violations, and Possession of a Controlled Substance
To avoid any conflict of interest, the Washington State Patrol was requested to conduct the collision portion of this incident.
Due to Gardner’s statements that Fentanyl and Methamphetamine were in the vehicle, his car was seized pending a search warrant.
This remains an active investigation, and additional charges are possible.
This Spokane County Sheriff Office news article "VIDEO: Reckless Driver Attempts to Elude Deputies and Rams Fully Marked Patrol Car" was originally found on https://www.spokanecounty.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=7