Motorcyclist arrested after high-profile crash in Battle Ground

A motorcyclist was arrested Saturday night in Battle Ground after he allegedly drove through police barricades before running a red light and crashing into a vehicle, according to the Battle Ground Police Department.

The incident began around 8 p.m. when Battle Ground officers closed a section of Main Street when several vehicles taking part in an impromptu cruise-in began to “burn out” their tires, a police statement said.

“Officers acted quickly, diverting traffic and temporarily closing a portion of the street near the 10 block of East Main Street, as a precaution for the large number of pedestrians gathered to watch the event,” the statement said.

Shortly after the barricades were placed, however, a motorcyclist ignored police orders and recklessly drove through the barricades, according to the statement. It said the motorcyclist then ran a red light and crashed into a vehicle at the intersection of Parkway Avenue and Main Street.

No one in the vehicle was injured, and the motorcyclist suffered only a few minor scrapes. He was released after treatment at the scene to police, who identified him as Zachary C. Green, 24.

Green was booked into the Clark County Jail on suspicion of DUI, reckless driving, failure to obey a police officer and on an existing warrant for malicious mischief, the statement said.

Police Chief Mike Fort commended the officers for intervening when the event became unsafe, the statement said.

“Although many people enjoy being a part of a cruise-in, safety is our No. 1 priority,” Fort said in the statement. “This incident serves as a reminder that poor decisions have consequences; we are thankful this situation was not worse.”