Tri-Cities driver shot during drunken rampage in Kennewick released from Seattle hospital

A man accused of going on a drunken rampage and ramming Kennewick police cars is now in the Benton County jail.

Richlard E. Cook, 33, was just released from Harborview Medical Center in Seattle after being shot by Kennewick police Officer Dylan Markley on Oct. 16.

Cook is facing two counts of second-degree assault after ramming three to four Kennewick patrol cars, including Markley’s and injuring two other Kennewick officers.

Kennewick police first encountered Cook’s Jeep Cherokee late Oct. 15 after a report of a DUI and a hit-and-run. Officers tried to stop the Jeep’s driver, but he sped away.

Officers didn’t follow because of a new Washington state law limiting police pursuits.

The Cherokee showed up again just after 4 a.m. the next morning in Kennewick when the Jeep reportedly ran a red light and was swerving all over the road, according to court documents.

Police were trying to find the Cherokee when an officer reported it crashed into his patrol car on purpose near 10th Avenue and Edison Street.

The driver appeared to be targeting officers as they responded, according to court records. He chased one patrol car and rammed a third one after hitting a tree, said investigators.

Court documents claim Cook was heading directly at Markley standing outside his patrol car when the officer opened fire to stop the assault, wounding him.

Cook tried driving away but stopped on 10th Avenue and had to be arrested by the Tri-City Regional SWAT Team.