PORT ANGELES — A Port Angeles man was in custody after a 22-minute high-speed chase, which reached at times more than 80 mph, from Four Seasons Park to Taylor Cutoff Road early Tuesday morning.
Benjamin Keith Wyant, 35, was in the Clallam County jail for investigation of eluding a police vehicle, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a prescription drug not prescribed for him and driving with a suspended license.
He also was being held on an outstanding arrest warrant from the state Department of Corrections for failing to show up for a meeting with his community corrections officer, said Sgt. John Hollis of the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office.
No bond has been set.
The pursuit began at 1:51 a.m., when Clallam County Sheriff’s Deputy Paul Federline tried to stop a vehicle, using lights and siren, because the registered owner had a suspended driver’s license, Hollis said.
Wyant took off, “disregarding traffic control signs, and occasionally drove in excess of 80 miles per hour,” Hollis said.
The pursuit, which began in Four Season Park, moved onto the back road to Deer Park Road and then down to U.S. Highway 101.
From there, it continued on Sherbourne Road, Atterberry Road and Hooker Road before it was ended by spike strips that flattened the two front tires on the car, according to Hollis.
Hollis also had laid down a spike strip at Atterbury and Hooker roads that punctured the left front tire but didn’t stop the car, the sergeant said.
A police dog from Port Angeles was ready in case Wyant fled, but once his car was disabled, he surrendered at 2:13 a.m. without further incident, Hollis said.
At one point, four patrol cars were in pursuit.
Federline was joined at Deer Park Road by Port Angeles Police Sgt. Jesse Winfield, and two Sequim patrol cars took up the pursuit at Hooker Road, Hollis said.
No other cars were on the roadway, Hollis said.
After obtaining a warrant, deputies searched the car and found methamphetamine and prescription drugs not prescribed to Wyant, Hollis said.
Wyant was not the registered owner of the car, Hollis said.
