Michael J. Harris appears in Lewis County Superior Court on Monday, July 15, 2019.
A McCleary man with seven prior convictions on charges of running from police was charged this week with leading a Lewis County deputy on a high-speed chase down U.S. Highway 12 that turned into a foot chase ending with the man going face-first into a ditch.
Michael J. Harris, 49, was charged Tuesday with attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle and is being held in the Lewis County Jail on $100,000 bail.
According to a probable cause affidavit, on July 11, a Lewis County deputy clocked a vehicle travelling 81 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone somewhere on U.S. Highway 12 in Lewis County.
A chase ensued, during which the deputy reported he had to hit a top speed of 127 mph to catch up to the fleeing vehicle — which passed two other vehicles on a winding turn, ran a red light and nearly wrecked while performing a right-hand turn.
The vehicle’s driver — who deputies identified later as Harris — stopped the vehicle in front of a residence and ran to a backyard. The deputy followed on foot, according to court documents. The deputy at one point unsuccessfully attempted a Taser deployment.
Harris allegedly stopped running, and turned around to confront the deputy, who reportedly struck him three or four times with a baton in the arm and leg, prompting Harris to again run away.
The foot chase ended with Harris falling face first down a steep embankment and into a ditch filled with blackberry bushes, authorities say.
According to court documents, Harris has four felony charges pending in Lewis County and seven prior convictions for attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle. Deputy Prosecutor Karin Phomma highlighted that criminal history when she argued $100,000 be imposed on Harris during a hearing Monday afternoon.
Judge James Lawler agreed a higher bail was necessary, rather then the $25,000 recommended by public defense counsel.
Harris has an arraignment hearing scheduled for today.
