Man accused of hitting fences, signs, poles then crashing on U.S. 12

The Missoula man who allegedly led deputies on a high-speed chase Wednesday night hit several fences, poles and signs in Missoula and Lolo before crashing into a ditch outside of Lolo on U.S. Highway 12.

Shayne Spence, 46, was pepper-sprayed by Missoula County sheriff's deputies in an effort to get him out of the mangled truck he was driving. He was taken into custody about 10:30 p.m. and transported to a Missoula hospital.

The incident was the second high-speed chase to take place in Missoula County on Wednesday.

Sheriff's Capt. Bill Burt said Spence will face several felony charges related to the incident, including three counts of criminal endangerment and one count of reckless driving.

Missoula police and the Montana Highway Patrol may have other recommendations for charges related to the incident, Burt said.

Apparently, law enforcement was searching for Spence after he began contacting the person who filed an order of protection against him 10 days earlier.

About 9:35 p.m., a caller informed 9-1-1 dispatchers that a truck had crashed into their fence in the 3300 block of South Avenue West and the driver, who quickly fled, appeared to be intoxicated.

The caller reported the truck's airbags appeared to be deployed and it seemed to be impossible for the driver to see the road, the caller said.

A deputy responded and attempted to initiate a traffic stop at 9:41 p.m., but Spence allegedly continued to drive recklessly south on Reserve Street, turning onto U.S. Highway 93.

Burt said deputies were concerned that he was armed, and he exhibited suicidal and homicidal tendencies when he was served the order of protection 10 days earlier.

Read the original:
Man accused of hitting fences, signs, poles then crashing on U.S. 12