An Auburn man was charged with felony eluding after a Morton police officer said he pursued the man down U.S. Highway 12 — with speeds reaching around 120 miles per hour — in April.
Sergey N. Pavlovich, 18, was additionally charged with a misdemeanor count of reckless driving. He was released on unsecured bail.
According to a probable cause affidavit, on April 28, a Morton police officer was contacted by a man who said he sold a motorcycle to Pavlovich. Shortly after, the man said, Pavlovich was driving the motorcycle recklessly.
The officer reported finding the motorcycle driving eastbound down U.S. Highway 12, and clocked it travelling at 80 mph for around 2 miles. The motorcyclist then allegedly passed six vehicles on a double-yellow line and on a blind curve in the road.
The officer then tried to pull the motorcycle over.
“The rider turned around and looked back at (the officer), but then increased his speed to approximately 120 mph,” read court documents.
The officer eventually stopped the chase out of concern for public safety, after the motorcycle passed multiple vehicles on a double-yellow line.
Charges were filed June 6 and a summons was issued June 12.
During a hearing in Lewis County Superior Court Friday afternoon, Pavlovich appeared out of custody, and in response to the summons. Judge James Lawler imposed $5,000 unsecured bail, meaning Pavlovich will avoid jail time as the case is tried as long as he abides by his conditions of release.
He has an arraignment hearing scheduled for Wednesday.
