POCATELLO - A man who eluded area law enforcement after a high-speed chase last spring was sentenced Monday to a three-year fixed, two-year indeterminate term for felony eluding an officer.

Ricky James Wallace, 41, was involved in a protracted chase that began when Pocatello police attempted to stop Wallace's vehicle as it entered Interstate 15. Wallace exited I-15, and the chase was discontinued for safety reasons when his car drove against one-way traffic on Center Street.

Officers renewed their pursuit on Yellowstone Avenue, following Wallace as he re-entered I-15 and drove north at speeds reaching 120 mph, according to police reports. Spiked strips were deployed by Fort Hall police, causing the car to crash at exit 89 near south Blackfoot. Wallace then reportedly fled on foot. He was apprehended several days later.

Wallace's attorney, David Martinez, said his client was conditioned to run from police. He said Wallace was aware of an outstanding warrant but was not involved in any other misdeeds at the time he fled.

Wallace told Sixth District Judge Stephen S. Dunn that he knew had reached a crossroads in his life.

"I'm knocking on the door of spending the rest of my life in prison," Wallace said. "It's time that I stopped."

Wallace also specifically addressed his flight from law enforcement. "I made a very poor decision that night," he said.

Wallace told Dunn he had straightened his life around before, but had lapsed back into a bad relationship and a methamphetamine habit.

"The drug's evil," Wallace said. "I couldn't stop it."

Wallace admitted to the presentence investigator to using meth daily from December 2007 through March 2008.

Dunn cited Wallace's prior record, including six felonies and 17 misdemeanors. He also noted Wallace has participated in two rider stints, non-prison dispositions to address underlying criminal behavior. "(You committed) a serious felony, putting many lives at risk," Dunn said.