Police Arrest Man After 25-Mile Low-Speed Chase Sheriff’s Report Says Driver Told Police He Didn’t Stop Because He Was Smoking Crack

Police arrested a Spokane man Monday morning after he led officers on a low-speed chase from the Spokane Valley to Coeur d’Alene.

Michael D. Sherrard, 36, was arrested on charges of eluding police officers, driving under the influence of drugs and driving without a license.

He told police that he did not stop for more than 25 miles because he was smoking crack cocaine in the car, according to a Kootenai County sheriff’s report.

Washington State Patrol officer Jesse Regalado first tried to stop Sherrard shortly before 9 a.m. after Sherrard made an illegal U-turn on Interstate 90 near the Pines exit.

Sherrard refused to stop and continued east on the interstate into Idaho, officers said. Idaho State Police and sheriff’s deputies joined the chase that reached speeds of only 50 mph.

Typically heavy morning traffic slowed to a crawl from Post Falls to Coeur d’Alene as a result of the chase.

During the pursuit, Sherrard tossed a couple of small articles out of his car, according to the report. Police said they believe the objects were small amounts of drugs or drug paraphernalia. They were not able to find them.

Sherrard finally stopped and was arrested at the Centennial Bridge east of Coeur d’Alene.

He told the arresting officer that he only threw out an empty baggie and his crack pipe, according to the report. He said he didn’t want to stop because of the drugs and because he was a wanted man.

Sherrard was wanted on warrants for failing to appear in court on driving under the influence and drug charges.

Sherrard was taken to the Kootenai County Jail. He will appear before a magistrate for his first appearance in Idaho today.

Because of the chase, he also is facing charges in Washington for eluding an officer and driving without a license.

, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: BYLINE = Winda Benedetti Staff writer Staff writer Adam Lynn contributed to this report.