Kalispell man facing felony charges after pursuit
The aftermath of a law enforcement pursuit on Kelly Road near Kalispell is seen in this courtesy photo. Flathead County Sheriff Brian Heino said deputies began chasing the suspect about 11:30 p.m., June 29 following a report of a motorist driving without headlights. (Photo courtesy Patrick Booth/Mystic Creek Studios)
A motorist fleeing law enforcement on Saturday night crashed into a parked pickup truck on Kelly Road near Kalispell after Flathead County Sheriff's Office deputies employed a maneuver designed to make suspects lose control of their vehicles.
The suspect, later identified as Derek Bruce Bigman, 34, of Kalispell, later attempted to flee on foot, Sheriff Brian Heino said in a press release. Deputies arrested him after deploying a Taser, he said.
Bigman is being held in the county jail on pending felony charges of criminal endangerment and criminal possession of dangerous drugs as well as a probation violation. He also faces misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence, fleeing or eluding law enforcement, and operating without headlights or taillights.
Heino said the pursuit began about 11:30 p.m. after deputies spotted a vehicle driving along U.S. 2 near River Road in Evergreen without headlights or taillights. Bigman allegedly evaded deputies attempting a traffic stop by driving onto sidewalks and nearly striking parked vehicles before continuing on U.S. 2 toward Kalispell.
During the subsequent chase, Bigman allegedly drove in the wrong lane of traffic, and ignored traffic signs and signals.
Deeming his alleged driving a risk to the public, deputies employed what is known as a precision immobilization technique, Heino said. The maneuver forces a fleeing vehicle sideways and brings it to a stop.
Bigman is also a registered violent offender, according to Heino.