Driver faces several charges after chase

The Daily Inter Lake

A vehicle pursuit, a minor accident and two arrests were part of events Monday night that may have solved some thefts and burglaries in the south Kalispell area. No one was hurt.

Flathead County Sheriff's Sgt. Ernie Freebury said deputies were going to a home on Welf Lane to arrest a man on a probation violation and investigate some burglaries.

When they arrived, a vehicle reportedly raced out of the driveway, nearly knocking down the deputies. The driver reportedly struck another deputy's patrol car on Rocky Cliff Road, where the deputy was parked to intercept him.

Damage was minor and then the driver led deputies on a moderate-speed chase, never going faster than 70 miles per hour and even signaling his turns, Freebury said.

The driver stopped in Woods Bay, where the Lake County Sheriff's Office sent an officer with a dog to help the deputies find the man.

Oliver Pearson, 28, eventually emerged from a home and was arrested. He was charged with probation violation, assaulting a police officer, eluding, and having no insurance or driver's license.

Freebury said allegedly stolen items were found in the car Pearson was driving and in another vehicle that was at the Welf Lane home.

Donnie Fennell, 49, was charged there with probation violation.