State Patrol: Brainerd Squad Car Heavily Damaged In Chase
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A 22-year-old man was hospitalized and later arrested Tuesday night after crashing head-on into a Brainerd squad car during a police chase, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.
The incident happened at about 9:11 p.m. after a 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee failed to stop during a traffic intervention started by the State Patrol at Highway 210 and 5th St. in Brainerd. The vehicle was pursued by the State Patrol into an area with rough terrain before it got away from authorities.
The Brainerd Police Department spotted the suspect vehicle and the chase continued. The vehicle struck a Brainerd squad car head-on, causing heavy front-end damage to both vehicles. Authorities say two other squad cars attempted legal intervention to stop the vehicle, which was eventually done at 13th St. SE and Oak St. in Brainerd.
The driver, identified as Jessey D. Johnson of Deerwood, was taken to an area hospital and later arrested for fleeing police, damage to property, assault on two Brainerd police officers in their squads and suspicion of driving under the influence.
The Brainerd Police Department says the incident is under investigation.