COCOLALLA — Police used a pursuit intervention technique to halt murder suspect James Michael Costello Sr. late Sunday night, according to court documents.

Motorists driving through the Cocolalla Flats area on Sunday night advised dispatchers that Costello was driving southbound in the northbound lane of travel, forcing them to take evasive action in order to avoid head-on collisions with Costello’s GMC Sierra pickup truck, according to an Idaho State Police probable cause affidavit. Costello was also a suspect in a hit-and-run collision in Sagle earlier in the evening.

Trooper Cpl. Troy Tulleners spotted Costello’s truck near Granite Hill and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but Costello failed to yield, the affidavit said.

Speeds during the pursuit reached 90 mph in a 70-mph zone, aaccording the affidavit. Brush and sticks were reportedly protruding from the truck’s windshield and Costello nearly hit a traffic signal pole at Garwood Road while swerving across the highway.

The pursuit moved onto Highway 53, where an officer used the pursuit intervention technique to force Costello to a stop. The technique involves using a patrol vehicle’s bumper to nudge the rear of the fleeing vehicle, causing it to go sideways and lose control.

Costello, 71, had injuries to his face but court documents did not specify their origins. Costello refused to provide a breath sample, which prompted state police to secure a search warrant to obtain a blood sample. Test results were pending on Friday.

Bonner County sheriff’s investigators said Costello made remarks during his arrest which caused them to conduct a welfare check on Costello’s son, James Michael Costello Jr., who was found dead of multiple gunshot wounds in Cocolalla. The father and son were living in a bus parked on property off the 2700 block of Cocolalla Loop Road, according to sheriff’s Det. Phil Stella.

“He made several cryptic remarks,” Stella said of the elder Costello’s comments.

The ISP affidavit makes no mention of Costello’s son or what prompted authorities to conduct the welfare check.

Sheriff’s detectives have interviewed neighbors, family and friends, BCSO said in a press release Saturday. Multiple search warrants also were served which resulted in the collection of guns and other evidence pertinent to the case.

Both Costellos have prior brushes with the legal system in Idaho, according to Idaho’s iCourt database. Both have multiple DUI arrests, although the younger Costello’s criminal history is longer than the elder’s. James Costello Jr. has additional convictions in Bonner and Kootenai counties for possessing an open container, disturbing the peace and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both have also been cited for possessing concealed firearms while under the influence, court records show.

During a sentencing hearing in the younger Costello’s felony DUI case, he is described as being his father’s caregiver. James Costello Jr. is further described as isolated and having “difficulty socially,” according to court documents.

James Costello Sr. has not been charged in connection with his son’s death, although Bonner County sheriff’s officials said he is the only suspect in his son’s slaying. In the press release, BCSO officials said charges are being held off at this point in the investigation into the younger Costello’s death until completion of additional interviews and further information and information have been examined.

A hearing in the elder Costello’s DUI and felony eluding case is set for Nov. 23 in Kootenai County Magistrate Court.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.