- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Ellensburg Today
By the People, for the People
Renton Man Leads 120 MPH Police Chase in Kittitas County
Suspect crashes after high-speed pursuit across multiple counties
Published on Feb. 16, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
A 34-year-old Renton man with a suspended license and a history of violence led police on a high-speed chase exceeding 120 mph across Kittitas and Chelan counties in Washington before crashing near the Wenatchee Overpass and fleeing on foot. The suspect, James Newport, now faces multiple charges including felony attempting to elude and reckless driving.
Why it matters
High-speed police chases pose a serious risk to public safety, and this incident highlights the dangers of allowing dangerous drivers with suspended licenses to remain on the roads. The multi-county pursuit also demonstrates the coordination required between law enforcement agencies to apprehend suspects who try to evade capture.
The details
According to police, the chase began when the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) received a call from Chelan County authorities about a driver in a black sports car with a suspended license and a reputation for violence. KCSO deputies spotted the vehicle on U.S. 97 and attempted to pull over the driver, identified as James Newport, but he allegedly took off at speeds over 120 mph. During the chase, Newport crossed the center line and drove in oncoming traffic, including around blind corners, in an attempt to get away. Deputies were able to deploy spike strips three times, but Newport kept driving, even going the wrong way on an off-ramp to the Wenatchee Overpass, before crashing into a light pole. He then fled on foot before being arrested and booked into Kittitas County Jail.
- The chase began just before 9 p.m. on Wednesday, February 12, 2026.
- Newport crashed near the Wenatchee Overpass later that evening.
The players
James Newport
A 34-year-old man from Renton, Washington who led police on a high-speed chase across multiple counties. He has a suspended license and a reputation for violence, according to authorities.
Kittitas County Sheriff's Office (KCSO)
The law enforcement agency that pursued Newport after receiving a call from Chelan County about the suspect driver.
What they’re saying
“High-speed chases like this one put the public at serious risk, and we're fortunate no one was hurt. We'll be working closely with our partners in Chelan County to ensure this suspect is held accountable.”
— Sheriff John Daniels, Kittitas County Sheriff (Ellensburg Daily Record)
What’s next
Newport is expected to appear in court next week, where a judge will determine if he should be released on bail pending trial.
The takeaway
This incident underscores the need for stricter enforcement and penalties for drivers with suspended licenses, as well as the importance of effective coordination between law enforcement agencies to apprehend dangerous suspects who try to evade capture.
