A Chehalis man was arrested Thursday for allegedly eluding a state trooper at speeds of roughly 120 mph after turning off his vehicle’s lights on Interstate 5.
Tyler Ford Porter, 21, is charged with one count of attempting to elude a police vehicle, a Class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison and $10,000 in fines. He made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Friday.
A judge set bail at $10,000 cash or bond.
Porter is prohibited from driving as part of his release conditions. He has no criminal history, but has had a number of driving infractions, including speeding tickets, prosecutors said.
According to a probable cause affidavit, a Washington State Patrol trooper saw a suspect speed past his vehicle near milepost 78 on I-5. The trooper turned on his emergency lights.
“The vehicle turned off its lights and accelerated away from the trooper,” prosecutors wrote in the affidavit.
The trooper turned on his siren and gave chase, but ultimately ended the pursuit. According to the trooper, the suspect was traveling at roughly 120 mph.
The trooper later learned the vehicle had exited at Exit 77 and continued west on state Route 6 in the direction of the registered owner’s home.
“The trooper arrived at the residence approximately 20 minutes after the initial contact,” the affidavit said.
A Lewis County Sheriff’s Office deputy met the trooper at the home and spoke with Porter and his father.
“According to the defendant's father, the defendant had arrived home approximately 15 minutes prior … The defendant denied driving the vehicle and denied having just returned home,” prosecutors wrote in the affidavit.
The deputy reported smelling alcohol when speaking to Porter.
Porter is scheduled for an arraignment on Nov. 12.
