PORT ANGELES — A Port Angeles man police suspect of fleeing an officer after a hit-and-run wreck is in jail.
Robert James McKellard, 44, was booked into the Clallam County jail Saturday and held without bond for investigation of third-degree driving with a suspended license, an outstanding arrest warrant and attempting to elude a police vehicle.
On Saturday, PAPD Officer Luke Brown saw McKellard driving a vehicle and learned McKellard had an active warrant and that his licence was suspended, according to police.
After a traffic stop where McKellard was taken into custody, he admitted that he was driving the vehicle that fled police May 19, according to police.
He denied being involved in the hit-and-run wreck at the intersection of Pine and West 16th streets, said Sgt. Kori Malone.
She said McKellard is still a suspect in the non-injury hit-and-run because police say he was driving a vehicle that matched the description of the car that left the scene, he was in the area immediately after the wreck and he fled from police.
She said police are following up on more information about the hit-and-run.
After the wreck May 19, a dark-colored Camaro left the scene heading south on Black Diamond Road.
A Clallam County Sheriff’s Deputy found a vehicle matching the description and minutes later a Port Angeles police officer attempted to pull the vehicle over.
The vehicle led the officer on a four-minute pursuit around the south end of Port Angeles.
The vehicle was impounded after the driver abandoned it on the 5400 block of Doss Road.
The license plate, vehicle identification number and license tab number of the Camaro were all invalid, according to police.
Anyone with information about the hit-and-run is asked to call PAPD at 360-452-4545.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at [email protected] dailynews.com.