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CRIME Defendant: Near-death experience a wake-up call Fellow fugitive died of exposure after fleeing police Comment By Vickie Aldous For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Vickie Aldous For the Tidings Posted Feb. 6, 2015 at 7:27 PM By Vickie Aldous For the Tidings Posted Feb. 6, 2015 at 7:27 PM » Social News A man said he was lucky to be alive after surviving a high-speed car chase with police east of Ashland and a night on the lam in cold, rainy weather that killed his companion. William Anthony Noble, 25, of Klamath Falls pleaded guilty Friday in Jackson County Circuit Court to attempting to commit first-degree assault and unlawful possession of a destructive device. He was sentenced to 13 months in prison for throwing a burning gas can at pursuing Oregon State Police officers during a 39-mile chase from Klamath County into Jackson County on Highway 66. A fellow passenger in the SUV, Levi Steven Cortez, 26, of Klamath Falls pleaded guilty to the same charges last week and received the same sentence for his role in the Dec. 19 incident. The driver, 32-year-old Klamath Falls resident Christopher Scott Sellars, died of hypothermia and exposure after stopping the SUV and hiding from police in the woods. Cortez surrendered the night of Dec. 19, while Noble spent a cold night outdoors before surrendering at a home the next day. "I am really sorry for what I have done and so sorry for all the lives I put at risk," Noble said in court Friday, speaking via a television monitor from the Jackson County Jail, where he has been held on $800,000 bail. He added, "This whole experience has been a huge eye-opener for me and a chance to clear my head and get some sobriety back in my life." Noble said he would use his time in prison to think about how to become a better dad, husband and productive member of society. His court-appointed defense attorney, Samantha Evans, said Noble understands the gravity of the incident. "People could have died because of the driving and what was thrown out of the vehicle," Evans said. "One of the defendants did die. Mr. Noble understands he's really lucky to be alive today." Law enforcement continued to search for Sellars after Dec. 19 but did not find him. A Southern Oregon University professor out with students on a field trip spotted his body east of Ashland Jan. 30. Sellars was previously convicted of first-degree burglary in Klamath County Circuit Court. While Sellars was still missing, all three men were indicted for unlawful manufacture, possession and delivery of dealer quantities of methamphetamine, attempt to commit first-degree assault, and unlawful manufacture and possession of a destructive device. Sellars faced additional charges of felon in possession of a firearm and fleeing a police officer. The whole incident began when Oregon State Police attempted to pull Sellars over for a traffic violation. Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-776-4486 or [email protected] . Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous .     By Vickie Aldous For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Vickie Aldous For the Tidings Posted Feb. 6, 2015 at 7:27 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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