Idaho car chase leads to rollover crash, death of K9 officer
NAMPA, Idaho ( ABC4 ) — A car chase in Idaho Saturday evening led to the death of a K9 officer, a police officer injured, and the arrest of two suspects, according to the Nampa Police Department .
The incident led to the arrests of Tanner Lucas Howe, 27, and Stephanie Ann Kettermann, 33. Howe was arrested on a parole agent warrant , and Kettermann was arrested on seven different charges.
According to Nampa PD, Kettermann was arrested for battery on law enforcement, a felony; eluding, a felony; trafficking meth, a felony; possession of schedule 2 controlled substance, a felony; possession of psilocybin mushrooms, a misdemeanor; possession of schedule 4 controlled substance, a misdemeanor; and possession of paraphernalia, a misdemeanor.
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Police said the suspects led officers on a chase, causing a crash that led to a Nampa police officer being transported to an area hospital for treatment. That officer was later released, but both Nampa PD and Idaho State Police mourned the loss of K9 Riddick, who did not survive the rollover crash and died at the scene.
"This brave partner served with unwavering loyalty and played an essential role in safeguarding the community," ISP said in a social media post on Sunday .
Police said Nampa Dispatch was informed that Howe was reportedly "on his way to a commercial location to sell drugs" around 5:45 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21.
Officers were able to identify the vehicle Howe was in and attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the suspect vehicle did not yield, which led to the chase, according to officials. Officers then saw the vehicle was being driven by a woman — later identified as Kettermann.
Nampa PD said that, when officers attempted a "Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT Maneuver)," the suspect vehicle turned and rammed into the police vehicle, which caused both cars to roll, leave the road, and land in a cornfield.
Kettermann was taken to an area hospital for treatment after the crash and was later released to police custody.
She confirmed Howe was in the vehicle during the chase, but officers did not find him after setting a perimeter and searching the cornfield. Howe was later arrested at a convenience store after police received information about his location.
K9 Riddick's body will be held in a local veterinary hospital in Nampa until his memorial service, police said.
Howe and Kettermann were both taken to the Canyon County Jail after their arrest.
Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
