A man was arrested in Washington Sunday after a high speed car chase, but he wasn't in the driver's seat - his pet pit bull was.

The 51-year-old Lakewood man is facing several charges, including driving under the influence, reckless driving, hit-and-run and felony eluding, a spokeswoman for the Washington State Patrol told KOMO-TV. The suspect was driving a 1996 Buick when authorities say he struck two vehicles and fled on Interstate 5.

Officials said the vehicle at one point was traveling over 100 mph, according to KOMO.

Trooper Heather Axtman told CNN that the man was driving "very erratically" and, as he tried to evade troopers, drove on Centennial Trail, a popular spot for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Eventually, troopers used spike strips to end the chase, and during the arrest, Axtman said the driver told police that he was "trying to teach his dog how to drive."

"I wish I could make this up," Axtman told CNN. "I've been a trooper for almost 12 years and wow, I've never heard this excuse. I've been in a lot of high speed chases, I've stopped a lot of cars, and never have I gotten an excuse that they were teaching their dog how to drive."

Axtman said the dog was taken to an animal shelter after her owner was arrested. The suspect's bond was set at $8,500.

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