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<< Previous   of   Next >> (click to enlarge) Suzanne Eviston was in serious condition at a Seattle hospital Monday.   ADVERTISEMENT   Related Stories • Everett police officer badly hurt in wreck 7/16/07 • Everett officer still in critical condition 7/16/07   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Tuesday, July 17, 2007 Wreck that injured officer was intentional, police say By Diana Hefley and Jackson Holtz, Herald Writer EVERETT - An Everett man jailed in connection with a crash that left an Everett police officer with multiple broken bones has a history of running from police. Court records show that Alan Brian Waterman, 19, was charged twice last year with running from police. In July 2006, he was arrested by Snohomish County sheriff's deputies after a high-speed chase on a stolen motorcycle. In September 2006, he allegedly bailed from a stolen car while being followed by Mill Creek police. A police dog found him hiding in some bushes, according to court papers. Investigators believe Waterman on Sunday deliberately rammed a stolen Jeep Cherokee into a patrol car driven by Everett police officer Suzanne Eviston. They believe he was trying to flee the scene of an attempted burglary. "Our initial indication is he intentionally hit her car," Everett police Sgt. Robert Goetz said Monday. Eviston, 37, a dog handler for the department, suffered multiple fractures to her ribs, shoulder and pelvis, Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Walt Sowa said. The 10-year police veteran also had to undergo surgery early Monday because of some internal bleeding, Sowa said Monday. Eviston remained in serious condition in intensive care at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, hospital spokeswoman Susan Gregg-Hanson said Monday. The officer's dog, Axle, a German shepherd, suffered a broken leg. Police declined to comment on his condition Monday. Waterman was booked into the Snohomish County Jail for investigation of first-degree assault for allegedly ramming Eviston. He also is being held for investigation of second-degree burglary, first-degree theft, possession of drugs and an outstanding theft warrant. He appeared in Everett District Court on Monday, where Sowa requested a high bail, citing Eviston's injuries and the suspect's criminal history. "I believe he is a danger," the prosecutor said. District Court judge Roger Fisher ordered Waterman jailed on $200,000 bail. Two other men, Matthew C. Dolman and Brandon W. Jewell, both 20 and of Everett, also appeared in court Monday. They were arrested for investigation of the burglary at a construction site. Fisher ordered them held on $10,000 bail. Police believe that Waterman, Dolman and Jewell broke into the site to steal copper wire, according to court records. Officers allegedly found Dolman and Jewell at the scene. A Jeep Cherokee was observed speeding away and swerving around officers in an attempt to flee, according to a police affidavit. The stolen Jeep crashed into Eviston's patrol car a short distance away. Officers raced to help Eviston, who was trapped inside the cruiser. Rescue crews had to cut off the patrol car's door and peel back the roof to free her. Waterman told investigators he did not intentionally ram the officer, and that he'd slammed on the brakes and lost control, according to the police affidavit. Police found a substance suspected to be methamphetamine in Waterman's clothing. He told officers he had smoked meth just before the crash, police said. Waterman's felony charges from 2006 are still pending. Earlier this year, he agreed to be evaluated as a potential candidate for drug court, a move that would have gotten him treatment instead of jail time. He did not complete screening for the program. The crash left Everett officers shaken. They gathered at Harborview to support Eviston and her family. "Obviously our thoughts and prayers are with Suzanne and her family," Everett Police Chief Jim Scharf said. "She's an outstanding officer." Eviston was named officer of the year for 2006 for creating a new dog handler's manual and developing a police dog training academy. A native of Vancouver, B.C., Eviston started working with police dogs at 15. "She's an exceptional trainer," Snohomish police dog handler Bruce Mitteer said. "She loves dogs and she loves to help people." In Vancouver, B.C., on Sunday, many police officers were talking with Everett police by phone and e-mail as news of the crash spread through the department, said Constable Howard Chow, a spokesman for the Vancouver Police Department. For years, Eviston has been breeding dogs for the department, including Chow's first police dog, he said. Despite a small stature, Eviston's confidence helps her control 90-pound dogs and difficult police situations, Mitteer said. Now, her friends and colleagues hope that confidence will speed her recovery. "She definitely has the confidence to overcome lots of situations," Mitteer said. "Hopefully she has the strength to overcome these injuries that she has, and that's she able to get back into what she loves to do." Reporter Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463 or hefley@heraldnet.com.

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