Man faces charges after June 18 highway chase

A man apprehended by law enforcement following a high-speed chase on June 18 has been charged with felony criminal endangerment and misdemeanor assault.

Charges were filed June 20 in Flathead County District Court against Marcus Angel, 30.

Angel was booked into the Flathead County Detention Center on June 18. Bail has been set at $25,000.

Angel is set to be arraigned at 8:30 a.m. July 6 at the Flathead County Justice Center.

According to court documents, the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to Del’s Bar in Somers where Angel allegedly shoved an ice machine at a bartender, breaking the machine and nearly hitting her. The bartender reported that she “feared she was going to be hurt” when a man told Angel to leave.

Angel left the bar and drove away when Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Thomas Manz attempted to pull him over. Angel did not stop and fled from Manz, driving through downtown Kalispell at speeds up to 55 mph in a 25 mph zone.

Angel allegedly then sped up to over 80 mph north of Kalispell, heading toward Whitefish when officers disabled his vehicle through the use of spike strips and a pit maneuver. Angel was taken into custody after being forcibly removed from his vehicle.

The felony criminal endangerment charge could result in a maximum prison term of 10 years as well as a maximum fine of $50,000. Misdemeanor assault could result in a maximum six months imprisonment in the county jail and a maximum fine of $500.

Hilary Matheson is a reporter for The Daily Inter Lake. She may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.