Motorcyclist suspected of trying to elude police

A 27-year-old man on a motorcycle was arrested late Tuesday on suspicion of trying to outrun a state trooper during a pursuit that reached speeds of 100 mph, the State Patrol reported.

The pursuit started on northbound Interstate 5 near Tumwater about 9:50 p.m. when the trooper tried to stop a man on a 2003 Suzuki GSXR 10 motorcycle for speeding. The driver accelerated, beginning a chase that lasted about six minutes, State Patrol spokesman Johnny Alexander said.

The motorcycle turned onto U.S. Highway 101 and then pulled off on Evergreen Park Drive in Olympia. The trooper lost sight of the suspect but later spotted him on Black Lake Boulevard, Alexander said.

The man pulled over and was arrested without incident. Steven J. Poulos of Olympia was booked into the Thurston County Jail on suspicion of eluding a police vehicle, Alexander said.

CENTRALIA

Ambulance driver cited after striking Honda

The driver of an ambulance headed to an emergency call lost control of the vehicle and struck an oncoming car Tuesday, the State Patrol reported.

Jay A. Birley, 32, of Chehalis was driving the 1996 Ford Ambulance north on Gold Street about 11:15 a.m. when he struck a 1999 Honda CRV near Ham Hill Road. The lights and siren were not activated.

Birley and two passengers in the ambulance, Craig Fischer, 26, of Chehalis and Frank DeYoung, 36, of Onalaska, were taken to Providence Centralia Hospital.

The Honda's driver, Steve Miltimore, 53, of Centralia, and his passenger, Rebecca Miltimore, 53, of Centralia, also were taken to the hospital.

Birley was cited for driving too fast for road conditions, according to Trooper C.C. Clark.

CAMP MURRAY

Locke, FEMA, sign pact for federal flood relief

Gov. Gary Locke and the Federal Emergency Management Agency signed an agreement Tuesday that triggers federal disaster help for 15 Washington counties that were hit by severe flooding last month.

The agreement includes Thurston, Mason and Grays Harbor counties.

Federal help includes grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other aid to help business owners, farmers, ranchers and others recover from the floods.

Residents and business owners in affected areas can register for help by calling 800-621-3362 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.