Car chase halts in Malta with fiery ending

On Friday, November 9 at approximately 3:32 p.m., Phillips County Dispatch received a call from the mother of a possible suicidal male staying in the Whitewater area. Deputies and a Montana Highway Patrol Trooper responded to the incident. While en route another call was received stating the individual in question had taken a vehicle and was possibly on Highway 191 North.

MHP was the first to make contact with the vehicle and attempted to stop, but the driver failed to yield at which time a pursuit was initiated. MHP and a deputy pursued on 191 at speeds reaching 100 miles per hour but backed off as the pursuit got closer to town.

The driver then headed east through Malta and as he attempted to overtake a slower vehicle on the right lost control and crashed into a power pole on the north side of Highway 2. Due to the crash, a fire ensued engulfing the vehicle, but the driver had been safely removed by law enforcement and taken into custody.

The driver, Christopher James Dennis, 21 years old, was charged with, Criminal Endangerment, DUI, Fleeing from or Eluding a Peace Officer, Reckless Driving, Driving Without a Valid Drivers License, and Seatbelt Violation. A bond was set at $50,000. Dennis is being held in the Valley County Detention Center.