Man who hurt Everett police officer sent to prison

EVERETT – A man who severely injured an Everett police officer in July when he slammed into her patrol car was sentenced to seven years in prison today.

Officer Suzanne Eviston decided against being in the courtroom to face Alan Brian Waterman, 19. She is undergoing a grueling recovery and wasn’t up to the hearing, Everett police detective Craig Davis said.

Eviston, a 10-year veteran with Everett, suffered multiple broken bones and was hospitalized for months. It still isn’t clear if she will be able to return to her regular duties with the department. Her police dog Axel also was hurt in the crash.

“Today she expressed doubt she’ll be able to return to law enforcement at all,” Davis told Superior Court Judge Larry McKeeman. “She hopes she’ll be able to come back. It’s up in the air.”

Craig and Everett police officer Michael Braley recounted the horrific crash that nearly killed their colleague and friend. Braley witnessed the collision and attempted to pull Eviston from the wreckage.

“Seeing the impact and the amount of damage that occurred instantly, at that moment I just assumed she was dead,” Braley said.

Waterman, an ex-felon, was the driver of as stolen Jeep Cherokee that slammed into Eviston’s patrol car after she was called to a reported burglary in a south Everett industrial area. There was so much force in the collision and so much damage to her patrol car that investigators at first thought that Waterman deliberately rammed into her.

Later, investigators determined that the Jeep left 60 feet of skid marks, leading them to believe that Waterman was going too fast to stop in time.

Waterman admitted smoking methamphetamine before he and two companions broke into the fenced area of a business.

According to documents, Waterman admitted breaking the lock on the gate, and he intended to steal copper wire. About that time, a witness called police about suspicious vehicles in the area.

When police arrived, Waterman drove rapidly past two approaching cruisers, then slammed into Eviston’s car.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

The Victorian home sits on Whidbey Island. (Alyse Young for The Washington Post)
Whidbey couple thought they found their dream home — then came the bats

The couple had no recourse after unknowingly buying a home infested with thousands of bats.

The Snohomish County Jail is pictured on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Report reveals cause of Everett man’s death in Snohomish County Jail

Terry Crusha was booked into the jail on May 17. He died three days later, part of a string of deaths there.

Boeing workers file into Angel of the Winds Arena to vote on the latest contract proposal from the company on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Boeing Machinists prepare to go back to work after strike ends

After voting no twice, 59% of union members approved the latest contract.

Twede’s Cafe is pictured at the corner of Bendigo Boulevard and North Bend Way on Sunday, June 9, 2024, in North Bend, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Relive ‘Twin Peaks’ with cherry pie and damn fine coffee at Twede’s Cafe

The North Bend cafe, known as Double R Diner on the campy cult-classic, serves up nostalgia and a damn good breakfast.

From left to right, Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay Evans and Lt. Serena Wileman. (Photos provided by the U.S. Navy)
Remains of Whidbey Island pilots to return this week

Lt. Cmdr Lyndsay Evans and Lt. Serena Wileman died in a crash on Oct. 15.

Everett
Everett men arrested in huge bust of Seattle drug ring

On Wednesday, investigators searched 31 locations, but suspects from Lynnwood and Edmonds remained at large, officials said.

“I Voted” stickers cover a table at the entrance to the Snohomish County Auditor’s Office on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Margin narrows between Muzzall and St. Clair in WA Senate race

Meanwhile, a Lake Stevens school bond remained short of the 60% threshold in Wednesday’s results.

From left to right, Dave Larson and Sal Mungia.
WA Supreme Court race is incredibly close

Just 0.05% separated Sal Mungia and Dave Larson on Tuesday. More votes will come Wednesday.

Snow is visible along the top of Mount Pilchuck from bank of the Snohomish River near Rotary Park on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett initiative asks: Should the Snohomish River have legal rights?

Initiative 24-03 proposes legal standing to prevent environmental damage. Opponents say it’ll lead to unnecessary lawsuits.

Nora Xue, 24, fills out her ballot at the Snohomish County Auditor’s Office on Tuesday in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
5 big takeaways from election night in Snohomish County

The most expensive legislative contest was close. School funding plans were failing. And incumbents were largely cruising.

Carli Brockman lets her daughter Carli, 2, help push her ballot into the ballot drop box on the Snohomish County Campus on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Washington’s capital gains tax survives repeal effort

Voters were opposing Initiative 2109 by 63.2% to 36.8%, as of Tuesday.

x
Edmonds woman, 82, accused of hate crime, disrupting Trump rally

The incident reportedly came Monday, the day before Donald Trump would again become president-elect.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.