Driver lands in pond after police pursuit

Kalispell police arrested a 22-year-old man early Wednesday morning after a pursuit that ended when his car crashed down an embankment and into a pond.

Baron Schilman was cited for driving under the influence, leaving the scene of an accident, eluding, driving on a suspended license and having no insurance after the brief chase ended just before 1 a.m. at Dry Bridge Park on the south side of Kalispell.

Kalispell Police Patrol Lt. Wade Rademacher said the pursuit began after a report of a hit-and-run collision in the area of Fifth Avenue East and 10th Street East.

An officer spotted the Crown Victoria described by the victim of the collision on the lower east side of Kalispell at about 12:45 a.m. and began pursuit when the driver failed to stop.

Schilman was driving east on 12th Street East near Dry Bridge Park when he apparently lost control of the vehicle, Rademacher said.

“The vehicle went over the cliff, flew about 80 feet, crashed into the ground and then went into the pond,” Rademacher said.

A Kalispell Police officer waded into the waist-deep water and shattered a window to pull Schilman from the vehicle, he said.

Schilman was taken to Kalispell Regional Medical Center where he faded in and out of consciousness.

He was released from the hospital later on Wednesday.