Motorcyclist booked on drug charge

A motorcyclist who was allegedly speeding down a Spokane Valley thoroughfare ended up getting in a tussle with police and was eventually arrested on suspicion of drug possession.

Spokane Valley Police Department officer Jeffrey Welton saw the driver of a motorcycle speeding along Appleway Boulevard near Dishman-Road Monday about 7:45 p.m. Welton paced the cyclist going more than 80 mph, according to a press release from the Spokane Valley Police Department. The posted speed limit on Appleway Boulevard is 35 mph.

The motorcycle driver did not pull over when Welton turned on his overhead lights. A second officer arrived before the driver pulled over and stopped, police said.

When the driver, identified by police as Freddie J. Miller, 24, 1508 N. Stone St., was told he would be arrested for reckless driving, he allegedly lunged to the side causing Miller and the two officers to fall down a shallow embankment, Police said.

Miller was then handcuffed without further incident, Police said.

Police found what appeared to be crack cocaine inside Miller’s pocket.

Miller was booked into the Spokane County Jail on a charge of suspicion of felony possession of a controlled substance. Police said they are also considering misdemeanor counts of reckless driving and resisting arrest.