Bellingham police chase ends when driver reportedly jumps from car moving 35-40 mph
Bellingham police arrested a Tacoma man who allegedly led them on a 60 mph chase through a Cordata neighborhood residential zone before he jumped out of the car while it was still traveling 35 to 40 mph with three passengers inside.
Keith Jerome McMath, 41, was booked into Whatcom County Jail May 16 on suspicion of charges including attempting to elude police, reckless endangerment, resisting arrest and possession of a controlled substance. Jail records show he was released Thursday, May 21, on $10,000 bail.
Officers first attempted to stop the car McMath was driving on May 16 after it failed to come to a complete stop at a stop sign, crossed a lane line, bumped into a curb and was operating without a license plate light, according to Whatcom County Superior Court documents.
But McMath accelerated to 60 mph in a 35 mph residential zone after officers activated their lights and siren, documents state.
The car eventually slowed to approximately 35 or 40 mph, and McMath jumped out, fell and sprinted into the trees along the edge of the road, documents state. Police continued to follow the car, because it was still moving and three passengers were in the car with no driver.
One of the passengers jumped into the driver’s seat and was able to stop the car after it had traveled nearly two blocks, documents state.
Officers, with the help of a K-9 track, located McMath, though he violently resisted being placed in handcuffs, according to documents.
While being searched, police also found two baggies containing suspected heroin, court documents state.
