18-year-old arrested in Sequim after high-speed chase

SEQUIM — An 18-year-old man remained in custody Tuesday after he was arrested following a high-speed chase through eight blocks of central Sequim early Monday morning.

Rafael Rayon-Vasquez was arrested for investigation of negligent driving, eluding police and obstructing a law enforcement officer and was booked into the Clallam County jail, according to jail records.

He also is being detained for the U.S. Border Patrol.

No bond had been set by Tuesday night.

Police first encountered Rayon-Vasquez at 5:10 a.m. in the 300 block of East Washington Street, Sequim police spokeswoman Maris Turner said Tuesday.

He was driving 50 mph in a 25 mph zone, Turner said.

The pursuit reached 70 mph before the driver pulled over in the 1300 block of East Washington Street, she said.

Initially, Rayon-Vasquez did not tell police his name, birth date or other personal information, Turner said.

“There was a language barrier,” Turner said.

U.S. Border Patrol agents were called in to translate.

Eventually, Rayon-Vasquez volunteered his name but no other personal information, Turner said.

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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.

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