Lincoln Co. teen jailed on chase charges

A Lincoln County teen remains jailed on charges related to a recent high-speed chase on U.S. 2 between Libby and the junction of Montana 56.

Matthew Aaron Edwards, 18, is charged with three felony counts of criminal endangerment, and multiple misdemeanors, including driving on a suspended license, reckless driving, fleeing from police and driving without registration or insurance.

Edwards pleaded not guilty to the offenses during an arraignment on Nov. 7.

According to the charging document filed on Oct. 31 by Lincoln County Attorney Marcia Boris, Edwards was also charged with reckless driving and fleeing from police during an incident in June.

According to the probable cause statement filed by Libby Police Officer Chris Pape, he saw a dark sedan pull out from Education Way on to U.S. 2, heading west, at about 9:39 p.m. on Oct. 22. Pape wrote that the car drove 35 miles per hour in a 45 MPH zone. He also wrote he saw the car didn’t have a rear license plate displayed and that the vehicle moved into the outside lane while its right-hand turn signal remained on.

Pape reported that when he tried to stop the vehicle, it took off at a high rate of speed. The officer reported reaching speeds of more than 100 mph while the sedan continued to gain ground on roads that were wet from heavy rain that was falling. Pape said county sheriff’s Deputy Ben Fisher radioed him and said he was in the area.

Fisher told Pape that he pulled to the side of the road and the suspect vehicle lost control, spinning out of control, as it approached him. Fisher thought the vehicle was going to collide with his vehicle.

Pape wrote that he and Fisher maintained a distance from the suspect vehicle before losing site of it near the Highway 56 junction. Another deputy reported two males at the weigh scales that seemed suspicious. Pape reported that he stopped and spoke with the two males, both juveniles. At first, they said they saw the vehicle head south on Highway 56. But after further conversation, both juveniles said they were in the vehicle and had got out of the car at the weigh scales.

They said the driver of the car was a friend, Matthew Edwards. They said they wanted to get out of the vehicle sooner. Pape wrote that he knew Edwards’ driver’s license was revoked.

Then, Pape reported, at about 11:39 p.m., Edwards’ sister called and said Matthew had arrived home and told her he had eluded the police. After speaking with the county attorney, deputies went to Edwards’ home and arrested him. Pape interviewed Edwards at the county sheriff’s office where the suspect allegedly admitted to his role in the incident.

Edwards’ next court hearing is scheduled for Jan. 23, 2023.

A conviction for criminal endangerment could result in a 10-year sentence in the Montana State Prison.