Felony charges follow high-speed pursuit

A 62-year-old Columbia Falls man faces two felony charges after he fled a wreck in town and then led police on a high-speed pursuit to Columbia Heights last October.

Billy Bess Jr. faces one count of felony criminal endangerment, one count of felony DUI and one count of misdemeanor negligent vehicular assault. He faces up to 10 years and a $50,000 fine for the first count.

According to court records, the incident began on Oct. 11 around 11:39 p.m. when a Columbia Falls police officer turned left from U.S. 2 onto Nucleus Avenue and saw Bess’ minivan heading toward the patrol car at a high rate of speed on the wrong side of the road.

Bess’ vehicle than swerved into a vehicle on Nucleus waiting for a red light on U.S. 2. The minivan went up onto the back of the other vehicle, seriously injuring the female driver, and then turned left onto U.S. 2 and sped away.

The officer followed, with lights flashing and other patrol cars joining in. Bess’ vehicle behaved erratically as speeds reached 90 mph before it struck a light pole near the Highway 206 intersection, knocking the pole onto the minivan.

Bess reportedly revved his engine and managed to get the minivan up and over the median, down into a ditch and through a fence near the Glacier Peak Motel. The vehicle hit a corner of the motel building before running into a large tractor tire in a children’s playground, where it came to rest.

Bess allegedly was disoriented and smelled of alcohol. Officers reported seeing several pill bottles and a partial case of beer in the minivan. Bess allegedly admitted to drinking and taking muscle relaxants earlier in the day.

Bess allegedly agreed to provide a blood sample and was transported to North Valley Hospital. His driving record showed prior DUI convictions in 1991, 2003 and 2009.

Bond was set at $25,000. Bess is currently in the county jail. His arraignment is scheduled for May 21.