Runaway DUI suspect treed

by STAFF REPORT
Staff Report | October 23, 2024 1:10 AM

EPHRATA – A 36-year-old Ephrata man, Miguel A. Lopez Montes Jr, fled early Saturday around 2 a.m. at a traffic stop, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. A deputy pulled over Lopez Montes for speeding and suspicion of DUI in the 9500 block of Adams Road Northwest. Lopez Montes then sped away as the deputy was approaching the window.

The pursuit lasted several miles and eventually ended in an apple orchard in the 12500 block of Martin Road Northwest, when Lopez Montes bailed out of the vehicle and began booking it on foot. The deputy used an infrared camera and discovered Lopez Montes in an apple tree.

Lopez Montes was taken into custody and submitted to a portable breathalyzer with the result of 0.19, more than twice the legal limit for DUI.

Lopez Montes was booked into Grant County Jail for investigation of a DUI and felony eluding.