A truck driver is facing multiple felony charges after leading police on a 48 mile, two state chase, crashing into multiple vehicles and running police off the road.
Callers Tell Police That Semi Hits Cars, Traffic Barrels
Police say that the incident began around 8:30 yesterday morning in Lowell, Indiana, when they received calls about a semi truck hauling steel hitting several traffic barrels and passenger vehicles.
Indiana State Police chased the truck to the Michigan border, where the chase continued east on I-94, now headed by Michigan State Police.
At some time after the truck crossed into Michigan, one of its right front tires was shredded. The truck continued to hit vehicles in the construction zone between Bridgman and Stevensville.
Truck Driver Forces Police Off The Road
Michigan State Police say that the truck swerved at their cruisers, forcing them off the road. They also said that the truck almost hit one of their troopers who was attempting to use stop sticks to disable the truck.
That trooper, Shawn Martin, was attempting to move the stop strips because the truck had changed lanes when he said that the truck swerved right for him at speeds of over 75 miles per hour. He dived out of the way but says that if the truck had not swerved back away from him, he likely would have been struck.
Trooper Shoots Out Tire
About a mile from where the truck came close to hitting Martin, another trooper was able to stop the truck by shooting out the left side drive wheel, which slowed the truck. The truck eventually ramped off the expressway at John Beers Road and jackknifed, coming to a stop.
MSP says that the trooper shot out the tire because he feared for public safety: “Fearing for the safety of motorist as well as contractors who were in an active construction zone ahead, a Michigan State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officer shot a left side drive wheel of the tractor trailer causing this tire to shred.”
Several Felony Charges Await Truck Driver
The truck driver was taken to the hospital for an unspecified medical condition. Police seized what they believed to be narcotics from his truck.
Police say the truck driver can expect to face multiple felony charges when he gets out of the hospital.
The truck belongs to Tokay Line of Lodi, California.
No serious injuries were reported. Police are still working to determine exactly how many vehicles were struck by the truck.
Out-of-control semi wreaks havoc in 2 states before police shoot out tire https://t.co/RBHuOG2PFE pic.twitter.com/Py8A1oOVRI
— MLive (@MLive) May 27, 2016
Sources:
WWMT
MLIVE
South Bend Tribune