Cameron W. Clements, 21, of Raymond, was sentenced to 15 months in prison for attempting to elude a pursuing police officer, according to Pacific County Prosecutor Mark McClain.

Pacific County Deputy Jesse Eastham attempted to stop Clements for a speeding violation, traveling 37 mph in a 25 mph zone, on Feb. 17. Deputy Eastham activated his emergency lights, but Clements sped off in excess of 50-55 mph, attempting to elude the deputy through Raymond’s Riverview neighborhood. After speeding though several blocks, turning through neighborhood roads and an alley, and nearly striking an oncoming van, Clements eventually stopped his vehicle, gave up the chase, and was taken into custody without incident.

When asked why he fled, Clements said he ran because he didn’t have a license and was just trying to get home. Clements was charged with attempting to elude a police vehicle with an aggravating factor of endangering one or more people during the pursuit.

“I believed the extra year for the aggravating factor of endangering another was appropriate to add to Mr. Clements’ sentence because he raced through neighborhoods where kids frequently play and he certainly could have killed one of them, as well as the driver of the van or the passenger in Clement’s vehicle,” said McClain. “Protecting the kids playing in our neighborhoods mandated, in my judgment, adding the year in prison.”

Clements will also lose his driver’s license for a year for his decision to run from the police.