Two arrested after high-speed chase on US Highway 12

A man and woman were arrested following a high-speed chase on U.S. Highway 12 Sunday night, according to Orofino Police Chief Vince Frazier.

On March 8 at about 10:24 p.m., an Officer with the Orofino Police Department was conducting stationary traffic enforcement near mile marker 43 on US 12. The officer observed a 2015 Ford Taurus traveling eastbound at a high rate of speed. The officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle, in which the vehicle failed to yield, Frazier said.

The officer continued to follow the vehicle and a pursuit entailed. Near mile marker 46, the officer noticed an object fly out of the vehicle. It was later determined, with help from Clearwater County Sheriff Deputies, that this was a Ziploc bag that had contained marijuana, Frazier reported.

The OPD Officer continued a pursuit, with suspect speeds over 100 miles per hour, until approximately mile marker 70 on US 12, when the suspect, later identified as Zachary Koenig, who was currently on probation in Nez Perce County, stopped and was arrested for Eluding an Officer (Felony, Idaho code 49-1404), Destroying Evidence (Idaho code 18-2603) and Drug Paraphernalia - Use or Possess (Idaho Code 37-2734a(1)), Frazier reported.

Koenig's passenger, Nicole Lawrence, was subsequently arrested for Possession of Marijuana (Idaho Code 37-2732) and Destroying Evidence (Idaho Code 18-2603), according to Frazier.

Orofino Police Department would like to extend their thanks to all the agencies involved for their assistance with this incident.

Orofino Police Department booking photos: (Top Zachary Koenig, bottom Nicole Lawrence)