SHINE — A Port Angeles man was arrested Thursday after law enforcement officers said he led them on a high-speed chase in two counties before he was stopped with spike strips and a PIT maneuver.
Justin James Radisich, 27, was booked into the Jefferson County Jail for investigation of unlawful possession of a firearm, a Class B felony, possession of a stolen firearm, a Class C felony, eluding a police vehicle, a Class C felony, and driving while license suspended, a misdemeanor, according to the county jail roster.
No bail has been set. His first appearance is expected to be today.
Two passengers in the vehicle were released after deputies investigated, said Sgt. Brett Anglin of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
Dispatch received a call at 7:37 a.m., when Radisich was allegedly speeding on U.S. Highway 101 between Sequim and 7 Cedars Casino, traveling at a reported speed of 100 mph, and driving recklessly.
State Patrol gave chase but terminated it as it was deemed dangerous to continue, Anglin said.
Jefferson County deputies located Radisich’s SUV later in Discovery Bay. On state Highway 104 near milepost 7, deputies attempted to pull Radisich over, and he increased speed to between 80 mph and 90 mph in a 60 mph zone, Anglin said.
About a quarter of a mile down Highway 104, deputies laid a spike strip over the westbound lane. Radisich drove over it and headed toward state Highway 19 on flat tires, Anglin said.
Deputies then executed a Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) maneuver, which causes a vehicle to turn sideways abruptly, and that spun Radisich’s SUV around.
He stopped on the side of the road facing eastbound, Anglin said.
After he stopped, Radisich refused to leave his vehicle when told to do so, and deputies broke the driver’s side window to remove him, Anglin said.
A gun found within reach of Radisich was traced to a theft in Tacoma, and he was arrested, Anglin said.
Radisich said he fled from law enforcement because he “didn’t want to go back to prison,” Anglin said.
Traffic was reduced to a single lane for several hours. The highway was cleared by deputies and State Patrol by 11:30 a.m.
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Jefferson County reporter Zach Jablonski can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 5, or at zjablonski@peninsuladailynews.com.
