Tuesday, December 16, 2025
42.0°F

Teen leads police on chase through Bonners Ferry

Keith KINNAIRD<br | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 17 years, 6 months AGO
by Keith KINNAIRD<br
| May 23, 2008 9:00 PM

SANDPOINT — Two teens from Montana were apprehended early Friday morning after leading police on a high-speed chase through Bonners Ferry before they were nabbed in Sandpoint.

Suspects William Avery Currier, 15, and Amy Ann Birch, 17, both of Kalispell, are accused of felony theft and eluding, according to charging papers filed in juvenile court.

The pursuit, which included speeds of up to 95 mph, began at about 12:30 a.m., when Boundary County dispatchers were advised the stolen truck was headed their way. The notification came from OnStar, a satellite-based communication and tracking system installed in the vehicle.

A Bonners Ferry Police officer attempted to stop the vehicle, but it sped south on U.S. Highway 95 toward Sandpoint. Bonner County Sheriff’s deputies deployed a spike strip at Upper Pack River Road, but the chase continued even though the truck was riding on a front wheel, which only had the aluminum rim left.

Speeds reached 95 mph before the truck was disabled and slowed to 80 mph after the tires were punctured, a police report said. Throughout the chase, the truck periodically swerved into oncoming traffic, forcing other vehicles off the road in the process, the report said.

Ponderay Police Officer Mike Victorino attempted to halt the chase before it entered Sandpoint by using his patrol vehicle’s push bumper, but the rogue rig managed to maintain its course, said the report.

The teens apparently surrendered at Fifth Avenue and Larch Street in Sandpoint and were taken into custody, according to the police report. Both reportedly admitted taking the pickup truck, which was parked in front of a Kalispell tavern with the keys in the ignition. The pair wanted to go to Washington and start a new life together.

ARTICLES BY KEITH KINNAIRD<BR

September 30, 2010 9 p.m.

Appeals court rules in cattle truck spill case

SANDPOINT — Idaho’s Court of Appeals is upholding the vacated judgment against a Canadian cattle truck driver accused of spilling a mixture of feces, urine and rainwater on U.S. Highway 95 in Boundary County.

October 21, 2010 9 p.m.

Constitutional amendments on Nov. 2 ballot

SANDPOINT — Idaho voters will get a chance to weigh in on Idaho constitutional amendments concerning funding for the University of Idaho and public airports, hospitals and electrical systems.

May 13, 2010 9 p.m.

Man with child porn arrested by Border Patrol

PORTHILL — A United States citizen was arrested earlier this month after allegedly getting his car stuck while attempting to sneak into Canada with a laptop computer containing child pornography.