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Kalispell man facing felony charges after pursuit

DERRICK PERKINS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 2 months AGO
by DERRICK PERKINS
NEWS EDITOR Derrick Perkins serves as News Editor at the Daily Inter Lake. He oversees daily news coverage and works closely with reporters to plan, edit and publish stories across print and digital platforms. Perkins helps coordinate coverage of local government, public safety, business and community developments throughout Northwest Montana. He works with the reporting staff to strengthen journalism while maintaining consistent daily coverage. His role helps ensure the newsroom delivers timely, accurate reporting that readers rely on. IMPACT: Derrick’s work keeps readers informed about the decisions and events shaping their communities every day. | July 1, 2024 2:00 PM

A motorist fleeing law enforcement on Saturday night crashed into a parked pickup truck on Kelly Road near Kalispell after Flathead County Sheriff's Office deputies employed a maneuver designed to make suspects lose control of their vehicles.  

The suspect, later identified as Derek Bruce Bigman, 34, of Kalispell, later attempted to flee on foot, Sheriff Brian Heino said in a press release. Deputies arrested him after deploying a Taser, he said. 

Bigman is being held in the county jail on pending felony charges of criminal endangerment and criminal possession of dangerous drugs as well as a probation violation. He also faces misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence, fleeing or eluding law enforcement, and operating without headlights or taillights.  

Heino said the pursuit began about 11:30 p.m. after deputies spotted a vehicle driving along U.S. 2 near River Road in Evergreen without headlights or taillights. Bigman allegedly evaded deputies attempting a traffic stop by driving onto sidewalks and nearly striking parked vehicles before continuing on U.S. 2 toward Kalispell. 

During the subsequent chase, Bigman allegedly drove in the wrong lane of traffic, and ignored traffic signs and signals.  

Deeming his alleged driving a risk to the public, deputies employed what is known as a precision immobilization technique, Heino said. The maneuver forces a fleeing vehicle sideways and brings it to a stop.  

Bigman is also a registered violent offender, according to Heino.

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