Athol man charged with DUI after chase, crash

COEUR d’ALENE — An Athol man remains in jail after he allegedly fell asleep at the wheel while inebriated before leading police on a high-speed chase through Post Falls that culminated in a crash.

Brandon M. Ford, 43, is charged with eluding a police officer, a felony, and with driving under the influence, driving without privileges, malicious injury to property and an open container violation, all misdemeanors. 

First District Judge John Cafferty set Ford's bail at $75,000.  

Ford opted to represent himself during his virtual first appearance Tuesday afternoon. He said he’s lived in North Idaho for most of his life and that a high bail would interfere with his ability to provide for his two young children.  

“I was hoping you’d be a little lenient on me,” Ford told the court. “I really apologize.” 

The charges stem from around 1 a.m. Tuesday, when a Kootenai County Sheriff’s deputy observed a vehicle “stopped partially in a swell of a yard with its headlights on” near the intersection of West Devonshire Avenue and North Crown Point in Post Falls, according to the sheriff’s office. 

Authorities said the deputy approached the vehicle and found the driver, later identified as Ford, unconscious behind the wheel. Open containers of alcohol were allegedly visible inside the car. 

According to the sheriff's report, after attempts to wake Ford were unsuccessful, deputies requested medical personnel and opened the vehicle’s door. Ford then woke, abruptly slammed the door and accelerated away from the scene.

Police pursued Ford through Post Falls and into an unincorporated part of the county, reaching speeds of 80 mph, according to the sheriff’s office. 

Near the intersection of Burlington Road and Idaho Road, a deputy deployed spike strips that deflated the tires of Ford’s vehicle. Ford then veered off the road, police said, crashed through a fence and entered a field before colliding with two trees, where the car got stuck. 

Prosecutors said police used a Taser to subdue Ford and remove him from the vehicle. 

Ford was transported to Kootenai Health for medical clearance and then booked into jail. 

At the time of Tuesday morning’s incident, prosecutors said, Ford was on probation for an excessive DUI charge stemming from March of this year.