Man arrested after high-speed chase
SOAP LAKE - A man was taken into custody early Saturday morning after reportedly leading deputies on a high-speed chase at speeds in excess of 95 mph.
About 1:45 a.m. two deputies with the Grant County Sheriff’s Office attempted to pull over a vehicle in the Lakeview community for a traffic violation. The driver of the vehicle, identified as Richard Lester, 37, no city of residence given, reportedly took off, went over a curb, drove into a gas station parking lot and fled toward state Route 28, according to sheriff’s office spokesperson Sharon Palmerton.
Deputies chased Lester to state Route 17 and down various county roads, including Road 20, back to SR-28 and Road A Northwest. The chase reportedly reached speeds in excess of 95 mph and Lester slammed on his brakes several times, “in an apparent attempt to have responding patrol units collide from behind,” Palmerton said.
Lester allegedly avoided spike strips twice during the chase and drove toward deputies. The chase came to an end on Road A Northwest and Lester was taken into custody about 2 a.m.
“Our law enforcement face many dangers in the line of duty and this is just one heart-stopping example of how harrowing their work can be,” Sheriff Tom Jones said. “I am grateful today that our team was able to make this arrest without anyone in our community getting hurt, including themselves.”
Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.
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