Man jailed after long auto chase

A man was taken into custody by Flathead County Sheriff’s Office deputies on Tuesday evening after he led authorities on a two-county chase covering more than 40 miles.

According to Lake County Sheriff Don Bell, a vehicle driven by Bobby Neal, 22, of Great Falls, drove through a red light at the intersection of U.S. 93 and Montana 35 in Polson.

 A deputy tried to stop the vehicle and a northbound chase began. Spike strips deployed in Elmo took out one tire but failed to stop the vehicle.

According to a press release from the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office, the driver of the vehicle swerved at oncoming vehicles to force them into a ditch and intentionally tried to hit responding officers who attempted to deploy spike strips.

Another set of spike strips and a pursuit maneuver caused the driver’s car to stop near U.S. 93 and Montana 82 at Somers.

Neal was booked into the Flathead County Detention Center for felony criminal endangerment, assault on a peace officer, felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and reckless driving / eluding.

A female passenger was turned over to Lake County authorities, but it is unclear whether or not she was charged with anything.

Montana Highway Patrol and Tribal Police helped in the pursuit.