Graffiti suspect chase ends in crash into Kennewick tree

A Kennewick woman was arrested late Wednesday after she crashed a car into a tree while reportedly allegedly to flee from police.

The officer was trying to catch someone spray painting graffiti on a vehicle on the 100 block of North Fruitland Street, said a Kennewick police Facebook post.

When the officer tried to contact them, Laura Mares, 20, drove off with a 16-year-old boy and two other people, said police.

But they didn’t get far.

Mares smashed into a tree at West Albany Avenue and North Ione Street, said police.

She was arrested for reckless driving after being checked at Trios Hospital in Kennewick.

The teen was arrested for malicious mischief and released to his parents.

Two others ran from the crash and were not found.

This story was originally published February 13, 2020 at 12:52 PM.