A McAlester man was arrested Monday after allegedly leading police on a high-speed motorcycle chase through city streets and nearly hitting two pedestrians, according to an affidavit.
Demarion Ewayne Bickham, 20, is charged with felony eluding and misdemeanor resisting an officer.
The pursuit began on Monday, July 21 when a McAlester police officer allegedly spotted a motorcycle without a license plate near North B Street and West Washington Avenue.
According to the affidavit, the motorcyclist appeared to avoid eye contact and hesitated at a stop sign before speeding away.
The officer activated his lights and siren as the motorcycle allegedly ran multiple stop signs and accelerated to speeds exceeding 65 mph.
Bickham, identified as the rider, reportedly swerved into oncoming traffic and allegedly came within five to six feet of two pedestrians near A Street and West Cherokee Avenue.
The chase ended near West Ottawa Avenue, where Bickham lost control of the motorcycle and stopped. According to the affidavit, he resisted officers who were attempting to place him in a patrol vehicle.
Bickham later allegedly told officers he had reached speeds of up to 90 mph during the pursuit. He was also found to be operating the motorcycle without a valid motorcycle endorsement.
This new charge violates a previous 7-year deferred sentence from a charge he received last year, and is now being held on a cumulative $50,000 bond.