A Lake County man is accused of fleeing law enforcement in a high-speed chase while endangering the public. Thomas Alexander Lozeau, 36, entered a plea of not guilty in Polson District Aug. 26 to felony criminal endangerment.

According to court records, on March 30, while Lozeau was on probation, law enforcement was patrolling in the St. Ignatius area in an unmarked police vehicle. The unmarked vehicle was equipped with emergency lights and sirens.

The officers noticed a maroon-colored Chevy truck parked in front of a known drug-user’s residence and Lozeau was nearby. The officers checked with Lozeau’s parole officer who indicated that Lozeau was an absconder and had a warrant out for his arrest.

The parole officer gave the officers permission to search Lozeau and his vehicle. Lozeau allegedly got into the driver’s seat of the maroon truck and accelerated away from the scene.

The officers activated their emergency lights and followed Lozeau as he allegedly continued to flee on gravel roads between St. Ignatius and Charlo, almost losing control of the truck on multiple occasions.

At one point, Lozeau lost control and ended up going into a ditch on the north side of West Post Creek Road, then drove out of it. As he approached the intersection of State Highway 212 and Herak Road, he avoided tire-deflation devices.

The suspect was allegedly traveling at about 85 miles per hour when he entered Charlo and passed another vehicle at 75 mph in a no-passing zone as he drove through town. Officers were able to use a precision immobilization technique (PIT) maneuver to stop Lozeau’s truck, which rolled onto its top.

The driver and another occupant of the truck were trapped in the vehicle and had to be extricated. Both were transported to an area hospital. Lozeau later left the hospital with an IV still attached.

Judge Molly Owen denied a request for the suspect to be released on his own-recognizance and set a trial date of Feb. 1, 2027. Lozeau remains in custody with bail set at $50,000.