Man accused of ramming police car during Spokane chase

A car chase early Monday morning led to assault and drug possession charges for a 20-year-old man accused of ramming his car into a police vehicle. Police arrested Michael C. Atchison around 2:30 a.m. Monday following a chase in which Atchison allegedly ran two red lights, almost hit a bicyclist and crossed the median on Division Street, nearly hitting northbound traffic. According to court documents, the chase began when a patrol officer spotted a Toyota pickup run a flashing red light at the intersection of East Empire Avenue and North Nevada Street. The officer pursuing Atchison twice tried to stop him using a pursuit maneuver designed to make a fleeing car abruptly turn sideways and stop. After the second attempt, Atchison allegedly rammed the passenger side of the officer’s car, then continued driving recklessly. Atchison then drove over a sidewalk off of Division Street and into a parking lot, where he hit a yellow barrier, causing his tire to pop. He was arrested on investigation of eluding, second-degree assault and possession of methamphetamine.