Eluding suspect waives hearing

SANDPOINT — A Sandpoint man accused of leading police on a high-speed through town earlier this month waived his right to a preliminary hearing on Wednesday.

William Edward Hoygaard’s waiver clears the way for his arraignment in 1st District Court on Monday.

Hoygaard was charged with felony eluding and misdemeanor resisting arrest after the Aug. 13 pursuit. Hoygaard was reportedly racing another motorist while heading south on Fifth Avenue. Speeds reached up to 60 mph through central Sandpoint, according to a probable cause affidavit. Hoygaard’s vehicle was found abandoned at a church off Lincoln Avenue.

A couple of hours after the chase, Hoygaard call authorities to report his Subaru Legacy missing and to inquire why police were looking for him, court documents indicate. Hoygaard told police he customarily left his car parked in his driveway with the keys in it and spent the night indoors watching television.

Hoygaard, 27, denied racing down Fifth or leading police on a chase, the affidavit said.