Interstate crash closes traffic lanes
By Katie Pizza and Johna Strickland
Argus Observer
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 10:11 AM PDT
PAYETTE — The Idaho State Police and the Payette County Sheriff’s Office responded to a serious accident early this morning near exit 9 on Interstate 84.
The one-vehicle rollover is still under investigation and few details regarding the accident were available at press time.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office joined law enforcement elements from Adams, Baker and Malheur counties during the weekend to search for Sean Allen Smith, 34, Boise who disappeared from near the Steck Park Recreation Area on the Snake River, approximately 25 miles west of Weiser Saturday.
“We searched all day Saturday and all day (Sunday),” Washington County Sheriff Marvin Williams said.
Williams said deputies are now focusing their attention on the shore, in hopes of recovering Smith’s body.
“We’ll periodically keep looking this week,” he said. “That’s really all we can do.”
In other public safety news, Malheur County Sheriff’s Office deputies made contact with Thomas Carter, 44, Ontario, at a traffic stop on Hunter Lane, outside of Ontario at 7:48 p.m. Friday. Carter was cited and released for driving while suspended and possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. During the stop, the deputy also discovered one of Carter’s passengers, Christopher Vartni, 51, Caldwell, carried a contempt of court warrant.
A MCSO deputy also contacted Sammy Garcia, 45, Ontario, on Northwest First Avenue near Northwest Seventh Street in Ontario at 8:38 p.m. Sunday. The deputy observed that Garcia had a warrant for his arrest for a probation violation. He was taken to Malheur County Jail. Also last week, a Payette man was arrested on an outstanding warrant just as Boise Police Department officers entered the 600 block of Village Lane apartment complex in Boise at approximately 12:30 p.m. Thursday. Officers were following up on a potential drug investigation, a press release from BPD reported, when they spotted a motorcycle driven by Tim P. Phillips, 43, Payette, leaving the area. Phillips was stopped by police and charged with driving without privileges and arrested on an outstanding warrant. During the stop, officers saw a Suburban traveling in reverse down the lane, the press release said. The driver halted the vehicle, then fled indoors, leading police to follow him through several apartments.
A K9 unit eventually found the suspect hiding in a stack of lumber and pointing a soldering gun at police. Believing they were in danger, police fired multiple shots and wounded the suspect. Boise police said the wounded individual is a known drug user with a criminal history. The suspect remains hospitalized, though his injuries are not serious. It is unclear at this time if Phillips was involved with incident.
Closer to home, the Ontario Police Department arrested an Ontario woman on a methamphetamine charge at 3:20 a.m. Wednesday.
Lori Carpio, 29, Ontario, was arrested in the 400 block of Northwest Fifth Avenue and charged with resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance and manufacturing of a controlled substance.
“An officer on patrol observed a female in that area,” OPD Capt. Mark Alexander said. “Being that time of morning, he stopped the subject to find out who she was and what she was doing.”
Alexander said the officer reported Carpio was nervous. He then said the officer said he noticed a bulge in front pocket of Carpio’s sweatshirt. The officer then reported Carpio took the item from her sweatshirt and threw it. Alexander said Carpio was also in possession of a digital scale and small plastic bags used to transport methamphetamine.
“It was found to be methamphetamine,” Alexander said. “She was going to be arrested. She attempted to kick and punch the officer but was ultimately arrested and taken to Malheur County (Jail).”
OPD officers also served a felony probation violation warrant for an Ontario man in an apartment complex last week.
Christian Paradis, 28, who also had five warrants for misdemeanor justice court warrants for traffic violations, was arrested at the complex on 1133 Fortner Street and taken to jail.
Ontario Interim City manager Mike Kee also discussed incidents of paving scams targeting the elderly in the Eastern Treasure Valley. Kee said the scammers tell residents they have leftover pavement from another local job. They then put used oil on the driveway in order to make it seem like the area is paved.
“It makes it look bright and shiny for a few days,” Kee said.
The Better Business Bureau reports some residents have lost over $20,000 to the scam. The BBB asks consumers to be wary of out-of-state companies claiming to pave asphalt.
“I just wanted to let people know they are in the area,” Kee said.
The Malheur County Sheriff’s Office also reported one warrant arrest this week.
Dennis Anders Jr., 31, Ontario, was arrested on a warrant for assault and violation of a release agreement at 11:41 p.m. at the Ontario Americold production center Wednesday.
