Repeat DUI offender accused of fleeing from Centralia police on a motorcycle and crashing while drunk

Bail is set at $100,000 for a repeat DUI offender accused of fleeing from law enforcement on a motorcycle while possibly intoxicated in Centralia on Monday.

Patrick Farr, 32, of Olympia, was allegedly riding a black and white motorcycle northbound on Harrison Avenue at a high rate of speed at approximately 5:58 a.m. on Monday, March 3, according to court documents. 

When an officer with the Centralia Police Department tried to pull him over for speeding, Farr allegedly continued at a high rate of speed and drove into oncoming traffic to pass another vehicle before illegally passing a school bus and crashing on the side of the road in the 3000 block of Harrison Avenue.  

The school bus driver reported seeing the motorcycle rider running westbound from the crash site, and officers soon located Farr “lying on his back in the brushy area behind a house” about 100 yards from the crash site. 

When questioned, Farr allegedly said “he had purchased the motorcycle the previous day and was on his way to work.” He said “he fled from police because he had a suspended license,” according to court documents. 

An officer noted Farr “was visibly upset and said he would likely lose his job” and said “he was likely going to prison,” according to court documents. 

The officer also noted that Farr was emitting “a strong, distinct odor of intoxicating beverages” and had “bloodshot, watery eyes.” 

Farr was transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries he sustained in the motorcycle crash. 

While at the hospital, Farr allegedly agreed to provide a breath sample, which reportedly showed his blood alcohol content was 0.18. 

He allegedly said “he had about three beers the night before and his last drink was around 9 p.m.,” according to court documents. 

Farr was booked into the Lewis County Jail at 11 a.m. on March 3 and was charged March 4 with one count each of attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle, second-degree driving with a suspended license and violation of ignition interlock. 

Possible felony DUI charges are pending toxicology test results. 

Farr’s criminal history includes a DUI vehicular assault conviction from 2023 and a DUI conviction from 2019, in addition to multiple ignition interlock violations, according to court records. 

“I do agree that he’s a significant risk to community safety,” Judge Paul Strophy said of Farr during his preliminary hearing in Lewis County Superior Court on Tuesday, where he granted the prosecution’s request for $100,000 bail. 

Farr’s conditions of release also include a provision prohibiting him from operating a motor vehicle. 

Arraignment is scheduled for Thursday, March 13.