Soap Lake man charged in chase

EPHRATA - A Soap Lake man is being held accountable for a high-speed chase through Ephrata and Soap Lake.

Nikolay A. Kozlov, 32, of Soap Lake, was charged with attempting to elude and reckless driving.

Ephrata police received a report of a black sport utility vehicle driving near 100 mph on Basin Street. Officers attempted to locate the vehicle and saw it pass on Alder Street.

When officers began to chase, the vehicle reportedly moved into the oncoming traffic lane and had its four-way hazard lights activated.

According to the police report, at least six vehicles had to avoid colliding with the SUV as it traveled through the oncoming lane.

The vehicle eventually took the ramp merging state Route 17 to state Route 28 and entered Soap Lake traveling more than 80 mph.

During the chase, police lost sight of the vehicle before seeing it travel south on state Route 17 toward Soap Lake.

According to court documents, police caught up to the vehicle and attempted to have Kozlov pull over. He motioned for the police to go away.

Kozlov slowed the vehicle down from 50 to 35 mph, climbed out of the driver's side window to his waist and yelled at police. According to his report, he couldn't understand what Kozlov was saying.

Kozlov tried to turn the vehicle around, but was finally stopped by police.

Kozlov exited the vehicle before being prompted by police, causing at least one officer to draw his firearm, according to court documents.

Police detained Kozlov, but had to use a Taser because he refused to lay on his stomach.

Kozlov allegedly told police he had used methamphetamine. According to the police report, another report was filed with the State Patrol that Kozlov tried to run another man off the road on state Route 28 near Pinto Ridge.

At least three more people reportedly wanted to complete statements about Kozlov allegedly trying to run them off the road and attempting to assault others. Kozlov was seen by medics before being transported to Grant County Jail.