Teen arrested after highway chase

A teenager allegedly led Flathead County Sheriff’s deputies on a car chase Friday morning.

According to Sheriff Chuck Curry, a deputy responded at around 8 a.m. to a report of an alleged sexual assault in the Columbia Falls area. The suspected perpetrator, a 16-year-old boy, reportedly was suicidal and fled the residence in a vehicle.

The alleged victim is a 4-year-old girl.

A deputy encountered the boy on U.S. 2 near Glacier Park International Airport. A pursuit ensued and ended when deputies forced the teen’s vehicle to a halt near the intersection with Montana 35.

The teen was taken into custody.

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.