by AMANDA WINTERS

Sequim Gazette

A 23-year-old Sequim man is charged with attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle after a high-speed chase Aug. 13.

At 4:23 p.m. Grant Clark, a Washington State Patrol trooper, spotted a red motorcycle traveling eastbound on U.S. Highway 101 near Seiberts Creek Bridge. A radar registered the speed of the motorcycle at 66 mph in a 55 mph zone, Clark said in a report.

He got in his car, activated the emergency lights and attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the motorcycle as it approached Blue Mountain Road, according to the report.

The motorcycle rider, later identified as Tyler Phillip Asselin, made several lane changes without using a signal, weaving through traffic at an estimated 70 to 80 mph, the trooper said.

With his car siren activated, the trooper pursued the motorcycle at speeds nearing 100 mph as they approached Shore Road. At that point the motorcycle moved to the right shoulder and passed by traffic at estimated speeds of 110 to 120 mph until Barr Road. As the motorcycle crossed the double yellow lines to pass cars on the uphill stretch of highway near Sherbourne Road, Clark decided to end the pursuit for public safety reasons, according to the report.

Once he crested the hill and descended toward Dryke Road, Clark saw the motorcycle rider pull into a driveway off the highway. He found the motorcycle parked and saw Asselin walking away from it, he said.

In his report, Clark said when he questioned Asselin about the pursuit, Asselin said he didn’t know the trooper was driving behind him and insisted he didn’t travel more than 50 mph.

Asselin was arrested on suspicion of attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle and booked into the Clallam County jail. He was released on personal recognizance Aug. 15 and will be arraigned Aug. 19.

Reach Amanda Winters at awinters@sequimgazette.com.