The Kalispell man who crashed in Whitefish earlier this month while allegedly trying to outrun the authorities now faces a slew of felony charges in Flathead County District Court.  

Prosecutors have brought Aaron Martin McGarry, 38, up on two felony counts of criminal endangerment, one felony count of aggravated fleeing from or eluding a peace officer, one felony count of criminal possession of dangerous drugs and a misdemeanor charge of criminal possession of drug paraphernalia. McGarry, who pleaded not guilty at his Dec. 11 arraignment before Judge Paul Sullivan, remains in the county jail with bail set at $375,000. 

The Dec. 3 high-speed chase began after a Flathead County Sheriff's Office deputy spotted McGarry driving a Ford Ranger through Columbia Falls about 11:30 a.m., according to court documents. The deputy recognized McGarry and knew he was the subject of two felony warrants, court documents said.  

As the deputy turned on his lights and siren, McGarry allegedly fled west on Montana 40, speeding up to about 90 mph. McGarry ducked into the oncoming traffic lane as he roared toward the intersection with U.S. 93, nearly causing several collisions, court documents said.  

After turning south on U.S. 93 toward Kalispell, McGarry allegedly went west on Blanchard Lake Road and continued to Karrow Avenue before turning east onto West Seventh Street. From there, McGarry turned south onto O'Brien Avenue and drove into a parking lot. McGarry allegedly circled around and pulled back onto O'Brien Avenue, this time heading north before driving onto private property. 

When his pickup became stuck between a house and a garage, McGarry got out of the vehicle and unsuccessfully tried to flee on foot, court documents said. As law enforcement personnel arrested him, Whitefish Police officers searched him looking for weapons or anything that might aid him in an escape, according to court documents.  

The search turned up a bag containing a white crystalline substance suspected of being methamphetamine, court documents said. Officers also allegedly located a bulbous glass tube pipe and a Motorola radio of the same make and model used by local first responders. 

McGarry allegedly confirmed the white crystalline substance was methamphetamine following his arrest. 

"I wanted to see my wife again," McGarry allegedly told investigators when they asked him why he fled. 

In charging documents, prosecutors wrote that the McGarry's Ford Ranger damaged the home and garage as it became stuck. The 89-year-old resident told authorities she heard the crash and worried that the "stress would be too much for her heart," court documents said. 

McGarry's lengthy criminal history include convictions in Montana of assault on a peace officer, theft, criminal endangerment and criminal distribution of imitation dangerous drugs. The warrants for McGarry's arrest were issued after he skipped out on his sentencing on the assault on a peace officer charge earlier this year.  

McGarry also boasts convictions on felony counts of grand larceny, escape and unlawful wounding in Virginia, according to court documents. 

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or [email protected].