POCATELLO — A man who pleaded guilty to driving under the influence after he crashed his car, ending a police chase, has been placed on probation.

Richard Francis Matsaw, 48, pleaded guilty to the felony charge after reaching a plea agreement with the Bannock County Prosecutor’s Office. In exchange, additional charges for felony attempting to flee, misdemeanor resisting arrest and a persistent violator enhancement were all dismissed.

At a hearing Monday, Matsaw was ordered to serve five years probation by District Judge Rick Carnaroli, court records show.

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Matsaw was arrested in March following a police pursuit that ended when Matsaw lost control of his vehicle on the icy roads.

Patrol officers stopped Matsaw near the intersection of Hiline Road and New Day Parkway in Chubbuck. As they approached his vehicle, however, Matsaw “sped away” heading north.

Due to icy conditions, officers deemed it unsafe to follow Matsaw and, instead, followed his path at safe speeds. They found Matsaw’s vehicle off the roadway near Harvest Springs Road, its engine was revving with the tires spinning in the snow.

Matsaw was removed from the vehicle, at which time he admitted to officers that he had been drinking alcohol.

During Matsaw’s sentencing hearing, Carnaroli suspended a prison sentence of four to eight years, in favor of probation. The judge attached a 120-day discretionary jail sentence to the probation, while also ordering him to pay $790.50 in fees and fines.

Matsaw has been admitted into the Fort Hall Justice Center DUI Treatment Court program.