By Christopher Johnson
A police pursuit ended dramatically this past Tuesday morning when a fleeing driver missed a curve on Surrey Rd and sent his vehicle careening down a steep embankment and onto US-127 near Exit 160. Just one mile outside of Clare.
The driver, whose identity has not yet been released, was operating a GMC Terrain when Clare County Sheriff’s deputies initiated the pursuit at 10:42 AM.
According to authorities, a deputy was running radar on Maple Grove Rd in the Farwell area when the subject raced by at 20 MPH over the speed limit (70+). When the deputy pursued and turned on his sirens, the driver accelerated and a chase ensued.
This pursuit spanned Maple Grove Rd, Clare Avenue, shifted north on Grant and eventually arrived at the conclusive Surrey Rd, eastbound.
All stop signs along the way were ignored along the route.
The chase ended when the driver failed to navigate the Surrey Rd overpass. Sending the vehicle down the hillside, launching onto the expressway below. The vehicle became disabled where it landed. The driver was able to exit his vehicle when deputies descended and ordered him to the ground just under the overpass. Upon being handcuffed, he began to report body/back pain.
The reason for the suspect’s erratic attempt to escape the deputy became apparent when several outstanding warrants were revealed, along with methamphetamine that was found inside the vehicle when it was searched at the scene.
The driver was then transported to Clare hospital with minor, non-life-threatening injuries. Thankfully, no other motorists were struck despite the vehicle entering active traffic on US-127. The abrupt cascade into a speed current of 70 MPH or faster could have been tragic for everyone.
Two MMR ambulances were dispatched to the scene as a precaution.
Clare County Fire Department personnel assisted in loading the patient and clearing debris from the roadway. A Michigan State Police trooper was also on scene.
Traffic was restored and the scene was cleared in approximately 40 to 45 minutes.
Several commenters on social media agree that the situation reads like a failed Dukes of Hazzard stunt and has sparked much discourse. Literally, eastbound and down.
The vehicle has since been impounded. Due to his stay in the hospital, the subject has yet to be arrested and arraigned. More on this as information becomes available.
