Fatal crash followed pursuit of stolen truck

Columbia Falls Police Chief Dave Perry said Monday he is satisfied with the way his officers handled a pursuit of a stolen vehicle early Sunday morning that ended with the death of a 15-year-old boy.

The 6-mile chase started in Columbia Falls and ended in Hungry Horse with a fatal crash.

Pierce Norman Beach died after taking a turn at high speed and losing control, eventually running into a tree. Two passengers in the pickup truck, 18 and 16, were injured, one seriously.

An officer first tried to pull over the 1994 pickup truck driven by Beach for a tail-light violation and then found out the vehicle was reported stolen

Perry said that in pursuit situations, a judgment call has to be made that accounts for traffic, pedestrian presence and the suspected crime. In this case, he said the conditions didn’t warrant officers backing away.

“It’s 12:30 at night, little traffic, and stolen vehicle is a felony,” Perry said.

The vehicle came up listed as stolen during the pursuit, according to Perry. A records check matched the description of a pickup stolen in Kalispell on May 29.

The incident itself started at Fourth Avenue West and U.S. 2 in Columbia Falls with an equipment violation. Perry said an officer was behind the pickup, which started to flee before a traffic stop could be made.

“The taillights were out on the vehicle,” Perry said. “The individuals in the vehicle were looking back toward the officer, and about that time he took off.”

The pursuit reached speeds of 90 mph and wound through Bad Rock Canyon and ended with a crash on River Junction Road near U.S. 2 in Hungry Horse.

Beach was pronounced dead at the scene. He was wearing a seat belt. Two passengers were not wearing seat belts and were taken to Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

One was treated and released; the other flown to Seattle for intensive treatment, according to Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry.

Perry said that once the Montana Highway Patrol finishes its investigation of the crash, his department will review the incident. At this time, he said that he’s satisfied with his officers’ actions.

Reporter Matt Hudson may be reached at 758-4459 or by email at mhudson@dailyinterlake.com.