Lewis County Sirens.com

By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – An un-helmeted ATV rider took a trooper on a more than five mile chase along county roads, speeding and ignoring stop signs and finally cutting in front of the trooper’s vehicle to travel up an off-road trail northeast of Winlock.

Two troopers and a deputy followed the trail a mile into the woods and found Kanan L. Andersen hiding under a log.

Andersen, 22, reportedly said he didn’t elude anyone, he didn’t understand or know what was going on, and finally said he didn’t stop because he was scared.

It happened shortly after 7:15 p.m. on Sunday and began northbound on Jackson Highway, according to court documents.

The trooper reported to the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office that the four-wheeled vehicle reached speeds of 55 mph in a 35 mph zone, and when it took a left on Park Road, two of the wheels left the ground and the driver had to lean to keep it upright.

The pursuit continued across an Interstate 5 bridge to Fisher Road, with the two traveling side by side at times and the ATV driver ignoring the trooper’s demands to pull over from the loud speaker.

Andersen was booked into the Lewis County Jail, bailed out and today was charged in Lewis County Superior Court with attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle.

The felony offense has a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

The Winlock resident went before a judge this afternoon.

Judge Richard Brosey pointed out if Andersen is convicted, he also faces the possibility the state Department of Licensing revoking his driver’s license for a year.

Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 31st, 2016 at 6:51 pm and is filed under News briefs. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.