Driver in long chase accepts plea deal

One of two Kalispell men charged after a long, high-speed chase Oct. 3 accepted a plea deal Thursday in Flathead District Court.

Joshua Hermann, 23, pleaded guilty to a felony count of theft related to the Sept. 13 theft of a 2010 Subaru Legacy from a rental car business.

In exchange for the plea, two additional felony theft charges and felony charges of criminal possession of dangerous drugs and criminal endangerment were dropped.

According to charging documents, Hermann was the driver of a 2006 Honda Civic stolen from a car lot. He fled from police in the vehicle, traveling at more than 90 miles per hour and swerving into oncoming lanes of traffic.

The chase on U.S. 2 began in Kalispell and ended 15 miles inside Lincoln County.

The vehicle eventually was stopped with spike strips and both Hermann and passenger Joshua Rosalez fled on foot before being apprehended.

If the plea agreement is accepted, Hermann could serve 10 years in jail. That sentence would be served concurrently with the remainder of a sentence he is serving on a 2006 Sanders County case.

Had Hermann been convicted of all five charges, he could have faced up to 45 years in jail and a fine of up to $250,000.

In addition to his jail time, Hermann also will be required to pay restitution, including any losses related to the charges that were dropped as well as those related to another report on which he was not charged.

Sentencing was scheduled for Feb. 16, 2012.

Rosalez is charged with felony counts of theft and criminal possession with intent to distribute drugs.