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Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Asks Barkdull in letter to dismiss case
CRESTON — A man accused of leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase on U.S. Highway 2 on Halloween remains in custody as his case moves toward trial.
Alberto Lorenzo, 40, is being held in the Lincoln County Jail in Davenport on $50,000 bail on a charge of attempting to elude law enforcement.
As his case moves toward trial, Lorenzo has claimed that his vehicle was disposed of and his cell phone was hacked. He sent a letter to the court stating that his personal belongings were inside the vehicle, which was recorded as being towed and disposed of by Johnson Family Towing on Nov. 26, 2024.
Judge Dan Barkdull said Lorenzo’s claims did not appear to be relevant to his case.
“I fail to see how this has any application to his case,” Barkdull said. “He is claiming I should dismiss the case. If there is a defense on this issue, there should be a motion rather than me dealing with the client. If you feel you should be off the case, there should be a motion.”
Lorenzo argued that his vehicle was key to his defense.
“I have been saying the vehicle had been tampered with,” Lorenzo said. “It was a BMW. I have been making an attempt to talk to the FBI and that they are responsible for hacking my phone. The airbags did not go off in the car. I have been trying to write letters to the FBI. David knows I was using my vehicle as my defense, and I see this as clearly an obstruction of justice.”
Victoria Iverson, representing Lorenzo, stated that there was potential exploratory evidence in the vehicle, which has since been destroyed.
“The vehicle was tampered with, and there was no intention by Mr. Lorenzo to elude police at that time,” Iverson said.
Prosecutors said the state had no prior knowledge of what happened to the vehicle.
Lorenzo’s trial is scheduled for March 19.
According to court records, Lorenzo was allegedly speeding westbound through Reardan at more than 60 mph around 10:25 p.m. on Oct. 31 when Reardan police alerted the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies located the vehicle on U.S. Highway 2 nearing Davenport, where it was clocked at 107 mph, records state.
Deputies attempted a traffic stop, but the driver continued past them, reaching 95 mph through the city, records show. The chase continued westbound, with the vehicle slowing to about 80 mph near the intersection of Morgan Street and state Highway 25 before accelerating again.
Deputy Schmidt deployed spike strips on U.S. Highway 2 near Leffel Road, puncturing two tires, records state. Despite the damage, the car continued at about 70 mph before increasing speed again to 105 mph near Sterrett Road, records show. Deputies reported seeing sparks from the vehicle’s metal rims against the highway asphalt.
The pursuit continued into Creston at 97 mph before Lorenzo lost control near Milepost 229, causing the vehicle to spin and collide with an embankment, according to court records.
Lorenzo climbed out of the driver’s seat and attempted to flee westbound before being pursued and tackled by a deputy, who placed him in handcuffs, records state. He was transported to the Lincoln County Jail.
During transport, Lorenzo complained about something in his head and said his head was going to explode, records show. At his request, the deputy turned on the backseat lights. He was booked into jail on charges of attempting to elude law enforcement.
Lorenzo later told deputies he had mental health issues and had smoked methamphetamine earlier that day, according to records.
Olivia Harnack is the award-winning managing editor/photographer/videographer/columnist at the Lincoln County Record-Times, with offices in both Davenport and Odessa, Wash. She is a University of Idaho graduate and a U.S. Army National Guardsman.
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