Man who led high-speed chase pleads guilty

The Evergreen man involved in a high-speed chase in March changed his plea to guilty last week.

Pursuant to a plea agreement, Matthew Plessinger, 29, pleaded guilty in Flathead County District Court to criminal endangerment.

In exchange, District Judge Stewart Stadler dismissed five other counts against him: assault on a peace officer (a felony) and misdemeanor counts of attempting to elude a peace officer, resisting arrest and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Plessinger led 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.

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 prevent the Scion from fleeing.

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

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

Prosecution recommended Plessinger be committed to the Department of Corrections for 10 years with five years suspended and that he repay the $2,500 in damage sustained by county vehicles.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 17.