TACOMA, Wash. — Jesse Jaquez, 37, is suspected of backing his van over Nicholas Van Patten outside a convenience store on Friday. Tacoma police spokeswoman Officer Loretta Cool said Jaquez tried to buy beer at a 76 station around 10:30 p.m. and handed the clerk the phony cash. When she realized it was counterfeit Cool said Jaquez grabbed the beer and ran out the door.
The clerk chased Jaquez according to Cool, confronting him as he got into his van. Cool said that’s when Van Patten walked over to help as Jaquez hit the gas and backed over him at a high rate of speed. “The suspect just ran right over the top of him”, said Cool.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed in Pierce County Superior court, video surveillance from the store’s security cameras show Van Patten being dragged by the rear wheel out into the westbound curb lane of South 12th. The rear wheel went up over his body, and as the defendant turned the wheel to head eastbound in the westbound lanes, the right front wheel also drives over Van Patten.
Van Patten was left with critical injuries.
“At the time we thought that they were life threatening. It appears that he is improving and we’re hoping for the best,”said Cool.
The charges could be counted a third strike for Jaquez if he is convicted and would mean a life sentence under Washington state’s three strikes law.
Jaquez bail was set at $750,000.