Suspect arrested after high-speed pursuit through Chelan County

WENATCHEE — A 20-year-old man was arrested Thursday evening after allegedly leading law enforcement officers on a high-speed pursuit through Chelan County that reached speeds exceeding 100 mph and endangered motorists and pedestrians, according to the Chelan County Sheriff's Office.

RiverCom 911 received multiple reports at about 6:21 p.m. July 30 of a white Dodge pickup being driven erratically near U.S. Highway 2 and Ninth Street. Callers reported the vehicle nearly struck pedestrians before continuing east toward Wenatchee, the sheriff's office said.

A Chelan County deputy located the pickup traveling about 106 mph in a 60 mph zone. According to the sheriff's office, the driver fled after the deputy attempted a traffic stop, leading deputies on a pursuit during which the pickup repeatedly exceeded 100 mph, weaved through traffic, ran multiple traffic signals and narrowly avoided collisions with other vehicles.

The Chelan County Sheriff's Office, Washington State Patrol and Wenatchee Police Department coordinated the response. After Washington State Patrol deployed spike strips, the pickup continued on four deflated tires into heavy city traffic, where the driver allegedly bypassed stopped vehicles and nearly struck cross traffic at several intersections.

The pursuit ended near North Wenatchee Avenue and Maiden Lane when a Chelan County deputy, with supervisory authorization, used a Precision Immobilization Technique maneuver at what the sheriff's office described as a safe speed. The driver was taken into custody without further incident.

The driver was identified as Jonathan Sanchez-Morales, 20. During the investigation, he allegedly told deputies he fled because he was under the influence of drugs and alcohol, according to the sheriff's office. After a medical evaluation, investigators obtained a court-authorized blood sample as part of the investigation.

Sanchez-Morales was booked into the Chelan County Regional Justice Center on suspicion of attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle and being under age 21 and driving under the influence. The sheriff's office said additional charges remain under review.