ASOTIN — A 24-year-old Lewiston man is being held in the Asotin County Jail on a $60,000 bond after allegedly driving his car into the Snake River and threatening campers and law enforcement.
Jameson R. Moses was rescued early Monday after a reported high-speed chase through the Chief Timothy campground west of Clarkston.
When police arrived, they could hear someone yelling in the water. The driver had escaped and swam to the U.S. Highway 12 side of the river but could not get out.
According to the probable-cause affidavit, Moses was floating about 100 to 150 feet from the shore when he was provided a flotation device by a boater, but he refused to be assisted.
Moses, who appeared highly intoxicated, continued to refuse help and threatened officers and medics on scene, according to court documents. He was eventually pulled out of the water by a medic who swam out to him.
A camper reported that Moses had pointed a black firearm at him and others at Chief Timothy. Several additional witnesses described the high-speed driving and firearm threats.
While medics tried to secure Moses in an ambulance, he allegedly continued to act out with irrational and combative behavior, police said. He was transported to TriState Health.
At the hospital, Moses was escalating again, police said in the affidavit. Medical staff cleared him, and Moses was handcuffed and taken to the jail in a patrol vehicle.
Prosecutor Curt Liedkie filed two second-degree assault charges Tuesday, along with a DUI, reckless driving, and two counts of reckless endangerment. Moses will be arraigned in Asotin County Superior Court on June 3.
Public defender Bridget Barr has been appointed to represent him.