A suspected drug-use call near gas pumps in Sequim early Friday led to a high-speed chase that was called off for safety reasons, followed by a hit-and-run cras
A suspected drug-use call near gas pumps in Sequim early Friday led to a high-speed chase that was called off for safety reasons, followed by a hit-and-run crash and the discovery of suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in an abandoned vehicle, according to the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office.
On Sept. 11 at about 4:30 a.m., deputies responded to the Jamestown S’Klallam Longhouse at 271020 Highway 101 in Sequim for a report of suspected drug use by people near the gas pumps, the sheriff’s office said.
Deputies arrived and contacted one of the suspects, later identified as 42-year-old Brian J. Arnold of Port Angeles. Arnold was seated in his vehicle at the time of the contact, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies suspected Arnold was under the influence of drugs when they contacted him. The sheriff’s office said that when deputies told Arnold he was detained, he fled in his vehicle at high speed.
Arnold drove in a “reckless and evasive manner” at speeds near 120 mph while traveling westbound on Highway 101 as deputies pursued him, the sheriff’s office said. Deputies believed there was sufficient cause that Arnold was driving under the influence of drugs.
Because of Arnold’s driving behavior, including high speeds and driving into oncoming lanes of travel, a supervisor terminated the pursuit at Highway 101 and Blue Mountain Road. The suspect vehicle continued westbound on Highway 101.
About two minutes later, dispatch advised deputies of a two-vehicle hit-and-run collision at Highway 101 and Deer Park Loop. Deputies responded and learned the vehicle that fled the crash matched the description of Arnold’s vehicle. The victim in the hit-and-run was not injured.
A few minutes later, deputies located Arnold’s vehicle abandoned at Deer Park Road and Wall Street in Port Angeles.
Deputies obtained a search warrant for the vehicle and said they found suspected methamphetamine, digital scales and drug paraphernalia.
The sheriff’s office said probable cause has been issued for Arnold’s arrest for attempt to elude law enforcement (felony), hit and run-attended (felony), possession of a controlled substance-methamphetamine (gross misdemeanor), and obstructing law enforcement (gross misdemeanor).
The sheriff's office is currently asking for public’s assistance in locating Arnold.
