Lewiston man arrested in local high-speed chase
Monte C. Randall, 43, of
Lewiston
(pictured) was arrested Wednesday evening on several charges
after leading Clearwater County and Nez Perce law enforcement on a
high-speed chase along Highway 12, according to a report issued
Thursday by the Orofino Police Department (OPD).
At approximately 7:06 p.m. Wednesday OPD received two separate reports of an erratic driver in downtown Orofino. One report came from a pedestrian who had nearly been struck by the vehicle, according to the police report. Both callers provided a vehicle description and license plate number.
At 7:34 p.m. Officer Eric Dodge observed the suspect vehicle, identified as a gray 1989 Mercury Grand Marquee, speed through the four-way stop at the intersection of Johnson and Michigan Avenues, then continue at a high rate of speed toward the Orofino bridge.
Officer Dodge attempted to conduct a traffic stop with the vehicle before it reached Highway 12, but the driver, Randall, failed to yield and turned west onto the highway, toward Lewiston, according to the report.
Randall accelerated to speeds nearing 80 miles an hour as he was pursued by Officer Dodge. Dodge was soon joined in the pursuit by Clearwater County Deputy Roger Haworth.
Near the turnout to Orofino Airport Randall struck the guardrail, but continued to flee at varying speeds into Nez Perce County, according to the report. Near the Lenore rest stop, located approximately halfway between Lewiston and Orofino, Randall stopped his vehicle. Officer Dodge and Deputy Haworth attempted to take Randall into custody, but Randall turned his vehicle around and fled east on Highway 12, back toward Orofino. While out of his patrol car Deputy Haworth was struck by the vehicle, according to the report. He was not injured.
At the Lenore bridge, approximately a quarter mile from the rest stop, Randall was met by other Clearwater County patrol deputies and an Idaho State Police trooper. According to the report, Randall again attempted to turn around, but struck the guardrail, whereupon officers were able to box him in with patrol vehicles.
Randall continued to rev his motor and refused to comply with deputies, according to the report. After a brief struggle he was taken into custody and charged with Felony Eluding, Aggravated Battery, Resisting and Obstructing an Officer, Reckless Driving, and Leaving the Scene of an Accident.
OPD requests that anyone who witnessed this incident please stop by the police department at 217 1st Street and make a statement.