Port Angeles Man Faces Multiple Charges Following Alleged High-Speed Pursuit and Domestic Assault
A 23-year-old Port Angeles man is facing multiple recommended charges following an alleged high-speed pursuit, a suspected DUI, and a reported domestic violence incident that left three passengers trapped inside a moving vehicle, according to court records.
John C. Judy was arrested on Monday, June 1, 2026. During a preliminary court appearance the following day, his bail was set at $50,000.
According to court minutes, Judy remained in custody as of a June 4 hearing. He is scheduled to appear for an initial arraignment on Tuesday, June 9, at 1:00 p.m. before Judicial Officer Brent Basden.
According to a probable cause narrative filed by Port Angeles Police Officer Nathan Clark, police responded to a reported “rolling” domestic disturbance near 1st and Chase Street at approximately 7:22 p.m.
While responding, Officer Clark reported that a light blue car, allegedly driven by Judy, swerved directly into his lane. Clark stated he was forced to pull completely to the curb to avoid a head-on collision.
“I believe that had I not swerved out of the way, John would have struck me with his vehicle,” Clark wrote in the police report, noting that the suspect’s vehicle appeared to be accelerating toward him.
Police allege the driver then ran a red light and initiated a vehicular pursuit.
According to the report, the vehicle reached estimated speeds exceeding 60 mph in a 25-mph residential zone, crossing into oncoming traffic lanes and failing to slow for intersections.
The pursuit concluded at a dead end on the 600 block of East 7th Street.
According to Officer Clark, Judy exited the driver’s seat with his keys in his hand, approached the officer, emptied his pockets, and stated he needed to sit in the back of the patrol car.
Inside the suspect’s vehicle, police located three passengers: Judy’s former girlfriend of five years, Victoria Tyler; their 1-year-old child; and an adult male, identified in the police narrative as Benjamin Kenney and in subsequent court release orders as Benjamin Kennedy.
According to the police narrative, the passengers described a chaotic scene inside the vehicle.
Kenney reportedly told police that Judy was “really drunk” and that the occupants begged him to stop the car after nearly crashing multiple times.
When Tyler attempted to call 911, Judy allegedly “went berserk” and refused to let the passengers exit. Kenney told investigators that Judy struck Tyler with his fists and her phone while trying to take the device from her.
A review of 911 dispatch audio noted in the police report corroborated the passengers’ accounts.
On the audio, Tyler can allegedly be heard crying and yelling, “He’s gonna kill us,” and, “He’s hurting me,” while Judy is heard demanding she “get out” and “hang up.”
Once the vehicle stopped, Kenney was recorded on the line stating, “I thought we were gonna die,” according to the police report.
Following his arrest, Judy admitted to consuming several drinks, police stated.
According to court records, breath tests administered at the station registered breath-alcohol results ranging from 0.236 to 0.254, which is approximately three times the legal driving limit of 0.08 in Washington State.
Court records also indicate that Tyler disclosed an additional, previously unreported incident to police.
She alleged that approximately a week prior, an intoxicated Judy had driven recklessly, attempted to run over a pedestrian on a sidewalk before swerving at the last second, stated he could kill them both, and shoved her out of his moving vehicle. Tyler stated she had been too frightened to report the incident at the time.
Judy was booked into the Clallam County Jail on recommended charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, attempting to elude a police vehicle, fourth-degree assault (domestic violence), interfering with the reporting of domestic violence, and three counts each of unlawful imprisonment and reckless endangerment.
According to an order establishing conditions of release filed June 2, if Judy posts his $50,000 bail, he is restricted to travel within Washington State, prohibited from possessing any firearms or other deadly weapons, and barred from contacting the alleged victims.
According to court minutes filed June 4, Judge Elizabeth Stanley appointed conflict public defender Lane Wolfley to represent Judy.