Post Falls-to-CdA car chase lands man in jail

A Post Falls police officer is on crutches and a 22-year-old man is being held without bail after a Sunday morning high-speed pursuit that began in Post Falls and ended in Coeur d’Alene.

Officer Peter McManus spotted a red BMW with a doctored temporary license plate at a Post Falls gas station just after 9 a.m. Sunday. When McManus attempted to pull over the car, the driver allegedly drove toward McManus, jumped the curb on Seltice Way and ran a red light.

The driver, Coeur d’Alene transient Isaac Jacob Reynolds, is being held in the Kootenai County Jail on charges that include eluding officers, obstructing officers, driving under the influence and driving without privileges.

According to McManus’ report, he followed Reynolds onto Interstate 90 and east into Coeur d’Alene. He said Reynolds was “swerving all over the road and passing vehicles on the right shoulder” at speeds as high as 125 mph.

McManus pursued Reynolds as he exited I-90 onto Northwest Boulevard in Coeur d’Alene. As Reynolds approached Lakewood Drive, he almost hit a black Mercedes-Benz, according to McManus’ report.

At that point, McManus said, he backed off because of heavy traffic and slowed to about 70 mph as he followed Reynolds – estimated to be driving about 100 mph – down Northwest Boulevard toward downtown.

Reynolds reportedly turned onto Government Way and crashed into a flower bed and tree before abandoning the car and fleeing.

McManus ran after Reynolds to a day care at 105 E. Indiana Ave., where Reynolds used a bench to boost himself over a fence. When McManus also tried to use the bench to get over the 6-foot fence, the bench collapsed, injuring his ankle and arm.

Another officer arrived and jumped the fence, and the two officers held Reynolds at gunpoint.

In addition to the charges in connection with the chase, Reynolds was arrested on an outstanding warrant out of Oregon for possession of methamphetamine.