High-speed chase ends with crash in Lakeside

Two women have been arrested as a result of a high-speed police chase late Wednesday night that began near St. Ignatius and ended in the Lakeside area.

Both the alleged driver, identified as Felicia Blackman, and the alleged passenger, identified as Johnna Yellowkidney, of the suspect vehicle had warrants out for their arrests in neighboring counties.

According to a media statement from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the pursuit began after a deputy attempted to stop the vehicle when he noted it had “defective equipment” and was driving erratically while northbound on U.S. 93.

The vehicle allegedly failed to yield to the deputy and began to flee, reaching speeds of 95 mph. Flathead Tribal, Ronan and Polson police as well as the Montana Highway Patrol aided the sheriff’s office in the pursuit.

After multiple failed attempts to stop the car using spike strips in Ronan and Pablo, one spike strip was successful in flattening two of the vehicle’s tires. The suspects continued to drive on the flattened tires until the vehicle hit a guardrail near mile marker 101 outside of Lakeside.

Both the driver and passenger of the suspect vehicle were taken to Kalispell Regional Medical Center after the crash. The extent of their injuries is not known.

Blackman has since been released from the hospital and is incarcerated at the Flathead County jail with criminal charges pending.

Yellowkidney has not yet been released from the hospital but will be transported to the Flathead County jail upon her release.