Driver elusive in van assault

The mystery of the road rage van continues.

Spokane County sheriff’s detectives have been trying to track down the driver of a van could faces a vehicular assault charge for dragging a motorcyclist during a fight on North Division Street on Aug.14.

Detectives found the van’s previous owner, a Spokane man, who said he sold the vehicle to a man he thought lived in Cheney, said Sgt. Dave Reagan.

The van’s current license plate is Washington 102YVY, but it’s registered to a Post Falls church that detectives don’t believe exists, Butch Stephen’s Organizational Church, Reagan said.

Now Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for information that solves the crime.

“It would appear on its face that the van has been fraudulently registered, that’s why we’re having trouble tracking it down,” Reagan said. “We need help.”

The incident began when the van cut off a motorcycle while southbound on Newport Highway, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

The motorcyclist and his passenger eventually parked when traffic backed up on North Division.

The motorcycle driver smashed a window on the van with his helmet and the van backed over the motorcycle.

The bike and its driver were dragged underneath the van backward for about 20 feet and another 10 feet forward before coming free. The female passenger was knocked clear.

The van is described as a 1986 full-size black and silver Chevrolet “beater” with the left rear side sanded down.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (509) 327-5111 or submit tips online at www.crimestoppersinlandnorthwest.org.