HAMILTON - Alan J. Bruton's four-wheeling trip in the Bitterroot in his new Jeep ended Sunday with a high-speed chase and an accident that sent his vehicle airborne twice.

The 18-year-old Missoula man was arraigned this week before Ravalli County Justice Robin Clute on a felony charge of criminal endangerment and five misdemeanor counts.

Bruton was traveling northbound on Highway 93 near Victor at about 7 p.m. when he decided to make a quick stop, according to an affidavit filed in the case.

Two Ravalli County sheriff's officers saw the maneuver and assumed he'd hit a deer.

They pulled in behind him to check on his welfare. When one officer approached the vehicle, Bruton hit the gas and sped away at a high rate of speed.

In a short period of time, Bruton attained an estimated speed of 120 mph, the affidavit said.

About one mile north of Victor, Bruton attempted to pass another northbound vehicle. When he turned sharply to the right, Bruton lost control of his Jeep and left the roadway down a sharp embankment off the highway and onto a field. An ensuing investigation found Bruton's vehicle became airborne twice before it finally came to rest on its wheels 395 feet into the field.

Bruton left the vehicle and began to flee on foot.

*********

After being arrested, the affidavit said the deputies observed erratic behavior indicating that Bruton was on drugs or alcohol. The behavior fluctuated between him making delusional statements, becoming aggressive and acting calm.

Bruton told EMTs at the crash scene that he had a backpack in his Jeep that contained marijuana and paraphernalia, the affidavit said.

After receiving a Miranda warning, the affidavit said Bruton initially kept quiet, but while being transported to the hospital he admitted to a deputy that he had been smoking marijuana while four-wheeling in his Jeep, had become "freaked out," and was heading for home.

Bruton didn't possess a valid driver's license. He couldn't produce any proof of insurance for his vehicle. And the registration of the Jeep was expired.

Bruton told officers he'd recently purchased the vehicle.

Clute set bond at $25,000.