Elude attempt ends with spike strip

Shane Ellingsworth, 48, of Albion, was booked into Whitman County Jail Saturday for attempting to elude, possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver and two warrants.

The chase began Friday night at about 11:20 p.m. when Whitman County Sgt. Keith Cooper observed an altered license plate and defective brake lights. The license plate was registered to a blue 1985 Toyota truck while the vehicle was a newer maroon Toyota Tundra.

Sgt. Cooper turned on his lights, but the vehicle continued traveling southbound through Colfax. At about mile post 37, Sgt. Cooper saw the passenger door open and a person jump or be pushed out of the vehicle. Later in the chase, Cooper observed another object come out of the still open passenger door and create sparks as it hit the ground. Neither the person or object that left the vehicle have been found.

Two other deputies joined the chase on SR 195. Ellingsworth reached speeds in the 85 to 100 miles per hour range and crossed into the northbound lane more than once. He later told officers he had done so in the hope they would discontinue the pursuit.

Pullman Police was notified of the pursuit and deployed spike strips at the North Pullman By-Pass. Three of the four truck tires were flattened when Ellingsworth hit the spike strip. After hitting the spike strip, he drove through a grassy median and further along Davis Way, finally stopping about a quarter mile from SR 195.

After the arrest, officers found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. Ellingsworth had a United States Marshall's warrant for possession of a weapon and a felony warrant from the Dept. of Corrections for escape.

Ellingsworth was ordered held in lieu of $250,000 bond or $25,000 cash bail. Preliminary appearance was set for Monday.