Lake Stevens Man Arrested for Eluding Troopers

Skagit County, Washington- In the early morning hours of May 8th, 2016, Troopers were on routine patrol on Westbound State Route 20, West of LaConner Whitney Road when they observed a vehicle approaching them at a speed of 66 in a 55 mile per hour zone.

Troopers made a U-Turn to stop the vehicle and the vehicle sped up and gained a considerable amount of distance from the Trooper. The Trooper activated his Radar again and clocked the suspect at a speed of 89 miles per hour in a 55 mile per hour zone.

As the Trooper attempted to catch up to the suspects vehicle, it continued to pull away from the Trooper at over 100 miles per hour.  The Trooper Observed the vehicle slow down at a red light at Best Road and Farm to Market but it then proceeded through the Red Light.   The Trooper Activated his overhead emergency lights as the vehicle sped off on State Route 536.

The Suspect vehicle continued to flee from the Trooper even after he activated his siren. The vehicle continued to travel in excess of 130 miles per hour down State Route 536, at one point eluding Troopers by passing cars on the left in a double yellow zone. The vehicle ran multiple red lights and the pursuit turned onto Northbound I-5 again at speeds over 130 miles per hour before coming to stop at the Bow Hill Casino gas station.

The driver, later identified as Sergey Zhovtonizhko of Lake Stevens surrendered peacefully.  A check of his driving status revealed that he was driving on a suspended license as of March 13th, 2016 for failure to appear on unpaid tickets.  The driver also admitted to drinking a few beers awhile ago, but refused a portable breath test and submitted to a BAC instead which gave a result of .000.

Mr. Zhovtonizhko was booked into the Skagit County Jail for Felony Eluding and Driving on a suspended license in the 3rd degree. He is being held in lieu of a $5,000 bail.