German V. Chumak makes an appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Monday afternoon at the Lewis County Law and Justice Center in Chehalis.
An Oregon resident was arrested Sunday morning in Lewis County after allegedly leading troopers from the Washington State Patrol on a chase reaching speeds of more than 150 mph.
German V. Chumak, 19, of Tualatin, was charged Monday afternoon in Lewis County Superior Court on suspicion of attempting to elude a police vehicle.
While Chumak has no criminal history, Superior Court Judge James Lawler said the allegations against the defendant gave him concern that Chumak might not reappear for further court hearings. He set bail at $20,000.
Chumak’s arraignment is scheduled for Thursday.
According to court documents, at about 9:46 a.m. Sunday, Washington State Patrol Communications advised troopers in the Kelso area of an erratic motorcycle near milepost 48 of Interstate 5. Witnesses reported seeing a black motorcycle, ridden by a person in a black helmet, going in excess of 110 mph.
By 9:59 a.m., WSP Communications received reports that the motorcycle was in the Chehalis area, heading northbound on Interstate 5. The vehicle was “splitting lanes” and traveling at more than 100 mph, witnesses reported.
A trooper first spotted the motorcycle near milepost 79 at 10:05 a.m. Based on the distance it crossed in the past 20 minutes, troopers estimated its average speed as 103 mph.
A trooper saw the motorcycle nearly hit the mirror of another vehicle while driving on the line between two lanes, according to court documents.
The trooper began to follow the motorcycle with his lights and sirens on. Starting at about milepost 89, the trooper reported seeing the motorcycle continuing to pass vehicles while traveling well over the speed limit. The trooper estimated the motorcycle was traveling at approximately 116 mph.
The trooper tried to catch the vehicle, reaching speeds of 130 to 150 mph. According to court documents, the motorcycle continued to pull away from the trooper before pulling off at exit 95 at Maytown.
Troopers briefly lost track of the motorcycle, but learned from a passing motorist that a motorcycle and rider were behind a support beam on the Maytown overpass. The trooper approached the motorcycle on foot and arrested Chumak.
Chumak reportedly told the trooper he wasn’t hiding, and didn’t try to get away from the officer. He reported he ran out of gas.
