Dana denies exposing himself, high-speed chase
A Polson man is accused of exposing himself and leading law enforcement on a high-speed pursuit.
Codie James Dana, 34, entered a plea of not guilty in District Court in Polson Jan. 16 to felony charges of indecent exposure (third offense), assault on a peace or judicial officer and two counts of criminal endangerment. The charges carry a combined maximum of 40 years in prison.
According to court records, just after noon on Dec. 31, law enforcement responded to a report of a man exposing himself while sitting in his pick-up in the parking lot of a grocery store in Polson. Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy Scott Sciaretta arrived to find Dana in a state of undress and not wearing a shirt.
The deputy introduced himself to Dana as law enforcement, and Dana pulled his pants up as he allegedly issued expletives at the deputy. When asked to produce his driver’s license, Dana allegedly put his pick-up in reverse and attempted to drive away.
As he pulled away, Dana’s side mirror struck the deputy’s shoulder and body, and launched him into an adjacent parked car. Sciaretta was later treated at a nearby hospital for injuries suffered in the encounter.
Dana proceeded to drive through Polson at a high rate of speed, turning onto Hillcrest Drive, then south on Skyline Drive. Two other motorists sustained damage to their vehicles before Dana lost law enforcement while driving south out of Polson.
The pursuit came to a stop when Dana’s pick-up crashed into a gray utility van at the intersection of Skyline Drive and Glover Road north of Pablo and Dana was taken into custody.
Judge Molly Owen, who is filling in for Dept. 2 of the 20th Judicial District, set the case for trial on May 12. Dana remains in the Lake County Jail with bail set at $250,000.