Local law enforcement were able to arrest and take a man into custody on July 17 following a high speed chase on U.S. Highway 101 from Port Angeles to Sequim.

Jason Viada, Port Angeles Police Department deputy chief, said police officers responded to a call about an individual “behaving erratically” outside a bank in the 1600 block of First Street in Port Angeles.

A responding officer attempted to stop the individual — later identified by law enforcement as 29-year-old Steven Michael Huseman — but was unable to keep him from getting in a motor vehicle.

Huseman then traveled eastbound toward Sequim on US. Highway 101.

“At times he [traveled] at speeds semi-reasonable, 50 miles per hour, but it did get up to 100 [mph],” Viada said.

Officers did attempt to stop Huseman’s vehicle using spike strips but he was able to avoid them, Viada said.

According to a probable cause statement filed in Clallam County Superior Court, officers observed Huseman went through two red lights, used center turn lanes to pass vehicles and struck another vehicle while passing it near the River Road exit. He was traveling at about 80 miles per hour near Deer Park Road and was at his top speed of about 100 miles per hour when he passed Shore Road, the statement noted.

While attempting to pass another car, the probable cause statement noted, Huseman’s car spun out and stopped near the U.S. Highway 101/Sequim Avenue exit, where officers and Clallam County Sheriff’s Office deputies were able to detain him.

According to Port Angeles Police Department officials, officers detained Huseman using “a combination of Taser applications and empty hand tactics.”

Agitated at the scene of his arrest, Huseman shouted “Why are you doing this?,” “Don’t hurt me,” “I’m a good man,” and “Don’t kill me,” and was put in constraints by six law enforcement and medical personnel, then loaded into an ambulance.

“Mental health and drugs; that’s what we’re dealing with every day,” Viada said.

Huseman was booked into Clallam County Jail and faces a number of charges, including DUI-drugs, hit and run, obstructing a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest and eluding police.

Judge Brent Basden ordered bail at $25,000 bail on July 18.

His next hearing was set after press deadline.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Law enforcement and Evergreen Towing work together to move a car after it was involved in a chase along U.S. Highway 101 on July 17.