One man was arrested Tuesday morning after a police chase through the Riverview area ended in a crash.
David Russell Thoman is facing several charges, including two felony counts of criminal endangerment, for an incident that started in the parking lot of the Smelter Avenue Walmart.
A police affidavit states Great Falls police officers identified a vehicle in Walmart’s parking lot as belonging to Thoman, who had pending felony charges for partner/family member assault.
Officers tried to contact Thoman at his vehicle, but he refused to get out, started the car, put it in reverse, and almost struck an officer, according to the affidavit.
Thoman fled the scene at a high rate of speed and was pursued westbound on Smelter Avenue Northeast by authorities.
Thoman drove across the traffic circle curb at Smelter Avenue and Division Road, according to the affidavit, and then turned northbound on Riverview B. An officer noted his speed was around 60 miles per hour at that time.
At Division Road, Thoman turned on to Riverview 2E. His vehicle lost its front right tire somewhere in the vicinity of Riverview Drive West and 2nd Street Northwest.
Officers pursued him onto 28th Avenue Northwest.
When the road became a dead-end, Thoman continued over the curb, up the grass hill, through a chain link fence, across the alley, through a board and railroad tie fence, and into a backyard where his vehicle hit a water trough and came to a stop against the back side of a house along 6th Street Northwest.
The home was occupied by two people at the time, according to the affidavit.
Thoman was then arrested without further incident. He refused medical assistance and was transported to the Cascade County Detention Center.
