Man denies charges in police chase

A Kalispell man accused of leading officers on a high-speed chase that ended with a machete and a stun gun has denied all charges.

Ryan Lewandowski, 28, pleaded not guilty to felony assault with a weapon and felony criminal endangerment in Flathead District Court on April 6.

At about 10:30 p.m. March 21, officers responded to a business off U.S. 93 South for a man who was reportedly threatening employees.

According to court records, authorities located the suspect’s vehicle speeding away from the scene, and the driver was believed to be armed and intoxicated.

With the assistance of Flathead County Sheriff’s deputies, Kalispell officers pursued the vehicle through the south side of Kalispell. The driver reportedly drove without headlights, going twice the speed limit, running stop signs and at times driving in both lanes.

One officer attempting to stop him was allegedly forced to jump out of the way to avoid being run over by the vehicle.

A deputy successfully deployed stop sticks in the area of Cemetery Road, flattening two of the car’s tires. The car continued down U.S. 93 at a high speed, eventually stopping on Snowline Lane.

Lewandowski allegedly exited the vehicle, advancing on officers with a machete in his right hand. Held at gunpoint, Lewandowski eventually dropped the weapon and officers had to use a stun gun in order to bring him into custody.

During transport, Lewandowski reportedly beat his head against the divider and bars in the car and stated, “I’ll tell you one thing, they’re gonna kill you, [expletive]. They’ll kill you, you dead [expletive]. You’s a dead [expletive]. You’re not getting past my homies, they gonna kill you [expletive].”

A jury trial has been set for Sept. 11.

If convicted Lewandowski could face up to 20 years in prison and a $50,000 fine for assault with a weapon and up to 10 years in prison and a $50,000 fine for criminal endangerment.

Reporter Mary Cloud Taylor can be reached at 758-4459 or mtaylor@dailyinterlake.com.