Runaway driver accepts plea agreement

A 27-year-old Whitefish man accepted a plea deal Thursday in Flathead District Court.

Abram Schilling pleaded guilty to a felony charge of criminal endangerment related to a March 25 incident in which he drove away from a Flathead County sheriff’s deputy after being stopped near the intersection of Industrial Drive and U.S. 93.

Schilling drove at between 100 and 120 miles per hour approaching Kalispell, and drove 40 miles per hour past the courthouse, running red lights and nearly colliding with several vehicles.

He eventually lost control of his vehicle as he passed Buffalo Hill Golf Club, ending up in a ditch.

He attempted to flee on foot, but was stopped and apprehended with the use of a Taser.

In exchange for pleading guilty to the felony charge, a misdemeanor charge of eluding a peace officer was dropped.

Any sentence he receives in the case will run consecutive to his sentence in a Lewis and Clark County case, in which he pleaded guilty on Wednesday.

His sentencing in Lewis and Clark County is scheduled for Feb. 1, 2012, and his Flathead County sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 16, 2012.