PORT ANGELES — Bail was set at $60,000 Wednesday for a Port Angeles man accused of leading officers on a high-speed chase in east Port Angeles.
Christopher Michael White, 30, was booked for investigation of felony eluding a pursuing police vehicle after an alleged 80-mph pursuit from the Safeway store at 2709 E. U.S. Highway 101 to the Liberty Apartments on Tuesday afternoon.
The Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office will consider filing a formal charge or charges against White at his next court hearing at 1 p.m. Friday.
City police said White was wanted on a state Department of Corrections warrant and fled from officers in a beige pickup truck at about 3:43 p.m.
Officer JJ Smith said White veered into oncoming traffic as he traveled west at about 60 mph near the Monroe Road intersection.
“White continued westbound in the center lane at approximately 80 mph before continuing onto East Front Street,” Smith said in the affidavit for probable cause.
“White attempted to avoid traffic by driving on the right shoulder in the 1800 block of East Front Street, where he side-swiped an attended black truck.”
Smith said White weaved through traffic before making a series of right turns onto North Liberty Street, the alley between East Front and Georgiana streets and the Liberty Apartments at 201 N. Liberty St.
White struck a fence while entering the alley a second time and collided with an unattended vehicle, according to Smith’s account.
White left the pickup, ran to an apartment and began to bang on a door, Smith said.
Police had been told that White was possibly armed and dangerous, Deputy Chief of Police Jason Viada said Tuesday.
“I exited my vehicle and drew my pistol,” Smith said in the affidavit.
“White turned to look at me, at which point I advised White to put his hands in the air and get down on his knees. White complied with my order.”
Another officer arrived and placed White into handcuffs without further incident.
“After being read his Miranda rights, I asked White if he had seen the patrol cars with their lights and sirens,” Smith said.
“White advised that he did see all of the cars and stated that he ‘wanted to see his grandpa one last time.’ ”
Clallam County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Sarah Woolman requested a $100,000 bail for White at his initial court appearance Wednesday, court papers said. Superior Court Judge Brian Coughenour imposed a $60,000 bail.
________
Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
