Eluding and DUI charges dropped; 10 days for lesser offense
By SCOTT RASMUSSEN
Journal of the San Juans Editor
July 28, 2008 · Updated 11:38 PM
A San Juan Island man accused of leading an officer on a brief high-speed chase will serve 10 days in jail or on work crew after pleading guilty to a lesser offense.
On July 18, Lucas Benjamin Melborne, 58, pleaded guilty in San Juan County Superior Court to one count of reckless endangerment and one count of first-degree negligent driving, both of which are misdemeanors.
He was sentenced to 15 days in jail or on work crew as part of a two-year suspended sentence. He was also ordered to pay a total of $1,800 in fines and fees.
According to charging documents, Melborne was driving southbound in excess of 65 mph on Cattle Point Road in early April when an officer, traveling in the opposite director, switched on the lights and siren of his patrol car.
Melborne reportedly accelerated and then turned onto Fairway Drive, where he collided with a tree before coming to a stop. He was charged with eluding, a felony, and DUI, following the early evening arrest.
Contact Journal of the San Juans Editor Scott Rasmussen at srasmussen@sanjuanjournal.com or 1-360-378-5696.Comment on this story.
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