Accused intoxicated hit-and-run driver with suspended license figured he could drive

A stolen portable basketball hoop led to a hit-and-run of a parked vehicle and a high-speed chase around the Ken Lake neighborhood, as an alleged intoxicated man with a revoked license attempted to elude law enforcement last Saturday.

Jesse Enger, 38, was arrested after Olympia police received a report of a suspicious vehicle along the 2200 block of Lakemoor Dr SW. While arriving at the scene, an OPD officer watched as the truck Enger was driving sped by him in the opposite direction on May 22 at 10:15 p.m.

During his attempted exit from the Ken Lake neighborhood, Enger allegedly hit a parked vehicle in a driveway, then struck some large bushes which damaged his own vehicle, all the while carrying a stolen full-size basketball hoop sitting in the back of his truck.

Enger’s truck was estimated at doing 40-60 mph through a neighborhood when he was finally pulled over by an Olympia police officer.

Enger apologized to the officer, stating that he is “a little heavy-footed sometimes.” Enger told the officer that he did not have a valid driver's license. The officer reported that Enger said he "figured since he was getting a blow-and-go in the morning, he would be okay to drive."  Blow-and-go is slang for an ignition interlock device. 

Enger’s words were slurred and he appeared intoxicated according to the police report. Enger’s eyes were “very bloodshot and watery” and he admitted to getting out of rehab recently for heroin and methamphetamine use.

Asked about the basketball hoop in the back of his truck, Enger said an unknown friend gave it to him for free. The friend had helped Enger load it, then said “oh shit,” and took off running. When asked by OPD if Enger thought the basketball hoop was stolen, Engler said “if you say so, boss.”

A Lakemoor Dr SW neighbor contacted 911, and said that he did not give permission for Enger to take the basketball hoop, which was estimated at an $80 value.

Enger said that he had consumed Seroquel, suboxone and had smoked marijuana earlier that day.

Enger was booked into the Olympia jail for DUI, theft, driving without an ignition interlock device and driving while license suspended.