Police Chase On Rural Roads Ends In Fiery Crash; 3 Facing Charges
ARLINGTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WWJ/AP) - Authorities say a police chase ended with a car crashing and burning in rural southwestern Michigan.
The Van Buren County sheriff's department says a deputy spotted a car Monday night in Waverly Township that wasn't property registered and attempted a traffic stop, but the driver kept going.
"A chase ensued and at one point, it was up to 85 miles per hour down side roads," Sgt. Dan Abbott told WWJ's Beth Fisher.
Deputies chased the car down rural roads and through a vineyard as the three suspects made some unconventional attempts to lose the cruiser.
"The occupants were intentionally throwing items and projectiles at the car, trying to get him to stop pursuing them," said Abbott. "After about 15 minutes, the vehicle lost control and then it eventually did catch on fire. After the vehicle crashed the driver did jump out and take off on foot."
Abbott said the driver -- later identified as 22-year-old Walker Oliver Woods -- fled to a nearby swamp. After using a K-9 unit to track Woods, he was located hiding in about 4-feet of water and was taken into custody without further incident.
The other two passengers, 30-year-old Ryan Glen Grady and a 24-year-old female, whose name has not yet been released, were arrested at the crash scene.
"The driver actually had three valid warrants for his arrest, along with no driver's license. The front seat passenger, that being Ryan Grady, had five valid warrants out for his arrest. And now the female passenger in the back seat, she's going to be charged also for the incident for resisting and eluding, and for throwing the projectiles at our police unit," said Abbott.
All three suspects were treated at a hospital before being jailed.
"They're fortunate when they crashed and hit that tree and the car caught on fire that they all weren't pinned in and burned up alive or let alone have serious injuries," said Abbot. "At the end of the day when police go to stop you, stop your vehicle. Otherwise bad things happen."
The suspects are expected to be in court Tuesday for an arraignment hearing.
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