SEQUIM — A Sequim woman appeared in Clallam County Superior Court on Tuesday after deputies say she led them on a pursuit that ended once she crashed a stolen truck Monday night.
Kylee A. Flores, 20, was booked into jail for investigation of theft of a vehicle, eluding police, reckless driving, driving with a suspended license and on two outstanding warrants.
Bail was set Tuesday at $10,000, and arraignment is scheduled for Friday on expected charges of theft of a motor vehicle and attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle.
At about 7:11 p.m., a Sequim man doing yoga at the old Dungeness Schoolhouse reported hearing his pickup truck start up and watching it being driven off south toward Sequim, said Chief Criminal Deputy Brian King of the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office.
Left keys in car
Sgt. Randy Pieper said the man had left his keys in his truck.
“We continue to remind the public to lock their vehicles and don’t leave ignition keys behind,” he said.
Two deputies in the area found the truck near Towne Road. After Deputy Chris Moon attempted to pull the truck over, it sped away, reaching speeds of up to 90 mph, King said. The speed limit for the area is 40 mph.
“The duration of the pursuit was relatively short,” King said, adding that deputies constantly evaluate the risks associated with pursuits.
“It’s a balance between safety of the public and apprehending the suspect.”
After Moon pursued the truck for about 3 miles, Flores attempted to pass a car, King said.
She hooked the edge of the road of the oncoming lane, swerved and overcorrected before skidding over the center line into a ditch at the intersection of Jesslyn Lane and Sequim-Dungeness Way, King said.
The truck was slightly airborne before landing in a garden and taking out several feet of fencing and two small fruit trees, King said.
Moon arrested Flores at gunpoint without incident with assistance from Deputy Don Kitchen and the Sequim Police Department.
Deputies said they found drug paraphernalia and suspected heroin residue on Flores.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsuladailynews.com.