Snowbank ends chase

POST FALLS - A 23-year-old DUI suspect was arrested early Monday for allegedly leading police on a chase that ended with his vehicle high-centered on a snowbank.

Kevin A. Lehman, Spokane, was booked into the Kootenai County jail on charges of felony eluding and DUI.

The chase on snow-packed streets began in Post Falls at Coleman Oil on Seltice Way after Lehman was pulled over. It ended about four miles east on Seltice in the center median near Coeur d'Alene Honda after the suspect apparently slid off the road, according to police.

"I reached a top speed of 75 mph while following Kevin and he continued to pull farther and farther away from me," a Post Falls Police officer wrote in his report.

The officer said he was about to terminate the pursuit after losing sight of the 2004 Pontiac Grand Am that Lehman was driving when he noticed the car had slid off the road.

"(Lehman) became high-centered on a snowbank and could not move," the report states.

Lehman had exited the vehicle, but then laid down after being ordered at gunpoint to do so, according to the report.

Police received a report at 1:24 a.m. that an intoxicated male struck another vehicle with the Grand Am while leaving Bob's 21 Club at 212 E. Seltice Way.

An officer said he observed the Grand Am swerve from side to side on eastbound Seltice.

"Seltice Way was covered in packed snow and the lane markings were not visible, but the Pontiac was swerving from the center turning lane over into the far right-hand lane and back to the left-hand lane," the report states.

During the traffic stop at Coleman Oil, the officer said Lehman "seemed confused," there was a strong odor of alcohol inside the vehicle and two cans of beer in the center console were open.

Lehman turned off the Grand Am after being asked to do so by an officer, the report states. But he then allegedly refused to exit the vehicle after being told multiple times to do so.

At one point during the stop, Lehman picked up one of the open beers and tried to take a drink before the officer ripped it out of his hands through the partially-open window, according to the report.

Lehman then turned on the ignition and revved the engine multiple times, the report states.

The officer said he shattered the driver's side window of the Grand Am with an expandable baton because the door was locked and Lehman wouldn't exit the vehicle. The officer sustained two small cuts on his right hand during the incident, but they didn't require stitches, the report states.

After the window was broken, Lehman reportedly took off eastbound on Seltice and the chase ensued.

No other vehicles or pedestrians were on Seltice during the pursuit, according to police.

Police said they could not find any evidence where Lehman's vehicle struck another at the bar.