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Wood facing 2 felony charges and several misdemeanors for high-speed chase

Posted at 2:33 PM, Oct 09, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-10 10:46:26-04
Travis William Wood (undated photo from MT Dept of Corrections)
Travis William Wood (undated photo from MT Dept of Corrections)

Travis William Wood has been charged with two felonies and several misdemeanors after leading Great Falls police officers on a high-speed chase several days ago.

According to the GFPD, the initial call was for the county and came in at 2:41 p.m. on Friday. The initial report was for a possible drive-by shooting on the 800 block of 21st Avenue South.

GFPD located the vehicle driven by Wood near the fire training facility at 1900 9th Street South and attempted to stop it. During the chase, Wood dropped off one passenger. There are no reports of that person facing charges at this time.

Wood reportedly reached speeds of more than 60 miles per hour in 25-mph residential zones; he also hit a tree at one point, but continued driving. Police quickly terminated the chase due to concerns about public safety due to speed. Several schools in the vicinity briefly implemented “shelter in place” procedures as a precaution.

The vehicle was later found parked near a residence along 10th Street North, and Wood was soon taken into custody.

Wood has been charged with two felony counts of criminal endangerment and the following misdemeanors: fleeing/eluding a police officer; stop sign violation (3); failure to obey traffic signal (2); driving with suspended/revoked license; failure to carry proof of liability insurance; failure to give immediate notice of accident by quickest means possible.

Court documents note that Wood has a “lengthy violent criminal history,” including convictions for criminal mischief with a deadly weapon; residential burglary; felony theft; possession of a stolen vehicle; and carrying a concealed weapon while in custody.

Prosecutors requested that bond for Wood be set at $50,000.

There is no reference in the court documents to any gunshots being fired, nor any evidence of a drive-by shooting.