PORT TOWNSEND — A 21-year-old man who led authorities on a high-speed chase through Jefferson County that led to three people being airlifted to Harborview Medical Center and 3 ounces of cocaine being seized has been sentenced to nearly three years in prison.
Shawn Patrick Oliphant of Suquamish, 21, was sentenced Friday after he pleaded guilty in Jefferson County Superior Court to two counts of vehicular assault, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and one count of attempt to elude a police vehicle.
No history
Oliphant has no prior criminal history and based on the criminal charges, he faced a sentencing range of 20 to 60 months. The court sentenced Oliphant to 34 months, which was recommended by both parties.
After he is released from prison he will have to serve 12 months of community custody and complete drug treatment.
At about 9 p.m. Oct. 7, 2017, he was driving a 2007 BMW 335 at 103 miles per hour when he passed a Jefferson County deputy on Center Road.
The deputy tried to stop the vehicle, but it kept going and deputies lost track of where it went.
Deputies tried to use a spike strip once the vehicle got onto state Highway 104, but because the vehicle was traveling in a group of cars they couldn’t use the strip.
High speed
At one point during the pursuit, Oliphant reached a speed of about 130 mph before crashing into a ditch.
Deputies found the vehicle wrecked at milepost 8 of Highway 104, 10 miles south of Port Townsend.
The vehicle rolled several times before it came to a stop.
Oliphant and two passengers, Justin Herrera and Veronica Williams, 20, both from Poulsbo, were airlifted to Harborview Medical Center after the wreck.
They were later discharged.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office asked WSP to bring a canine to the scene to search the area and officials found a backpack stashed in the woods.
Inside was about 3 ounces of powder cocaine.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsuladailynews.com.