Police pursuit ends in arrest

CLARK FORK — A Clark Fork man picked up six misdemeanor criminal charges after allegedly trying to elude Idaho State Police during a traffic stop on Wednesday night.

Daniel Brian Piazza is charged with excessive driving under the influence, eluding, obstruction, marijuana and drug paraphernalia possession, and driving without privileges.

Trooper Jonathan Cushman attempted to stop Piazza for driving 41 mph in a 25 mph zone on Main Street shortly before 9 p.m. The Ford F-150 Piazza was driving entirely in the wrong lane of traffic, the affidavit said.

A slow-speed chase ensued on Lower Mosquito Creek Road, where Piazza eventually stopped the vehicle, exited the cab and walked toward the woods. Cushman demanded to see Piazza’s hands, but Piazza cursed at the officer instead, court records indicate. Cushman caught up to Piazza, threw him to the ground and arrested him. A pill bottle containing more than 20 pre-rolled joints and a pot pipe were found in the truck’s cab, the affidavit said.

Piazza, 57, allegedly admitted that the drugs were his and his breath-alcohol content was measured at 0.20 and 0.19, well above the legal limit to drive of 0.08, court documents said.

Piazza made an initial appearance in Bonner County Magistrate Court via videoconferencing with the jail. Judge Tera Harden set Piazza’s bail at $1,000 and appointed a public defender to represent him, according to court records.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.