Man pleads innocent to six charges

The man involved in a high-speed chase along U.S. 2 and through Columbia Falls earlier this month pleaded not guilty Thursday to six counts against him.

Matthew Plessinger, 29, of Evergreen appeared in Flathead County District Court on two counts of criminal endangerment and assault on a peace officer, all felonies; and misdemeanor counts of attempting to elude a peace officer, resisting arrest and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

The charges of assault on a peace officer and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle were added March 15 to Plessinger’s prior charges.

Plessinger is accused of leading law officers on a half-hour afternoon chase through Columbia Falls and residential areas that finally ended when Flathead County Sheriff’s deputies used their vehicles to stop the Toyota Scion that had been clocked at more than 100 mph.

As deputies handcuffed Plessinger, he reportedly told officers the chase was fun and he had a great time, according to court documents.

Just before noon on March 7, Flathead County Sheriff’s Deputy Caleb Pleasants stopped a red Scion on Solberg Drive in Evergreen, after it had been the subject of several reckless-driving complaints from drivers on Montana 35 and Helena Flats Road.

As Pleasants got out of his patrol car to approach the Scion, Plessinger drove away.

A chase ensued, in the end involving three pursuing Flathead County Sheriff’s patrol vehicles. Montana Highway Patrol and Columbia Falls Police helped to block roads.

Twice, Plessinger stopped, waited for Pleasants to exit his patrol vehicle, then sped off again.

At one point, on Trap Road, the speeding Scion became obscured by a cloud of dust and pursuers lost track of it briefly.

Plessinger avoided stop sticks on Kelly Road before Flathead County Sheriff’s Cpl. Rod Vestre forced the Scion to slide sideways. The Scion still attempted to escape but Flathead County Sheriff’s Sgt. Bob Provo, Pleasants and Vestre used their vehicles to strike, barricade and prevent the Scion from fleeing, which caused extensive damage to patrol vehicles.

 Provo said Plessinger resisted during the arrest and deputies used a Taser to subdue him before taking him to the Flathead County Detention Center.

Plessinger reportedly has numerous outstanding Kalispell police warrants on his record.

An omnibus hearing is scheduled for May 12 and a pretrial hearing May 26 with trail set for July 12.

Reporter Melissa Weaver may be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at mweaver@dailyinterlake.com