FERNDALE, Wash. — A Washington State Patrol (WSP) trooper attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a 2000 Ford F250 pickup truck about 2am this morning, Friday, February 10th, but the driver fled.
WSP Trooper Anthony Califano told Whatcom News the trooper attempted the stop eastbound on Bellis Fair Parkway toward Cordata Parkway. When the vehicle fled at a high rate, the trooper disengaged but continued following. The trooper reported the vehicle had trouble staying in its lane and was seen running a stop light.
According to unconfirmed law enforcement radio transmissions at the time, the vehicle went south on Meridian Street and then got on northbound I-5. While the WSP patrol vehicle followed with its emergency lights off, it was reported the Ford continued north on I-5 past the W Bakerview Road interchange at about 80mph.
Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) deputies joined the pursuit as the Ford exited northbound I-5 at Slater Road. A WSP supervisor approved reengaging the Ford and reattempting to stop it.
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Click for more informationThe trooper reported the Ford ran the red light at the intersection of Slater Road Rural Avenue while westbound on Slater Road. The Ford was seen driving in the oncoming lane of travel.
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Click for more informationAfter the Ford headed south from Slater on Lake Terrell Road, WSP again terminated their pursuit. WCSO personnel continued their pursuit.
According to radio transmissions, a spike strip was successfully deployed on eastbound North Red River Road near Haxton Way. The Ford continued and ended up in a ditch after a PIT maneuver was performed on it.
The driver was taken into custody for driving under the influence and his passenger detained.
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Click for more informationThe driver was identified as Dennis Jon Phair, age 33. Phair was booked into Whatcom County Jail charged with the following crimes.
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Click for more information- bench warrant for failing to appear in Whatcom County District Court on the charge of 3rd degree driving while his license was suspended ($10,000 bond)
- 3rd degree driving while his license was suspended
- operating a vehicle without an ignition interlock
- 2 counts of attempting to elude a police vehicle
- reckless driving
- driving under the influence
Phair has prior felony convictions including attempting to elude, possession of controlled substances (heroin/methamphetamine) and multiple counts of felony theft.
Phair remained in custody at the jail pending a preliminary hearing where a bond amount, if any, is likely to be set.