Port Angeles – A high-speed pursuit in the early hours of Friday ended in the safe arrest of a 30-year-old Port Angeles man.
Chief Criminal Deputy Amy Bundy reports that at about 2:40am Friday, Clallam County Patrol Sergeant Edwards was on routine patrol when he noticed a silver passenger car traveling east on Pioneer Road in Port Angeles with no license plates.
Edwards activated his emergency lights to make a traffic stop, but the vehicle sped up and ran the red light at the intersection of Highway 101 and Monroe Road.
The driver, traveling up to 80mph, crossed the center line five or six times between Highway 101 and Draper Road. Sgt. Edwards coordinated with other deputies on shift to end the pursuit safely.
Deputy Brooks deployed stop sticks near the intersection of Mount Pleasant and Bayview Park Lane, which deflated the right driver’s side tire.
The suspect continued westbound on 5th Street, driving recklessly until sparks were seen coming from the vehicle. Just north of the alleyway between 4th and 5th Streets on Laurel, the driver pulled to the right, opened the door and ran from the vehicle. That’s when Sgt. Edwards recognized the driver as 30-year-old Port Angeles resident, Benjamin Lester.
Lester eventually tripped and fell. Before he could get up, Deputy Brooks pinned him to the ground.
Lester was arrested for Attempting to Elude, DUI-Drugs and Driving While License Suspended.