Deputy struck by stolen SUV, child shot in foot during Minot police chase, court docs say

MINOT — Courtroom paperwork have revealed particulars a few prolonged chase in northwest North Dakota that included a younger passenger being shot within the foot and a teenage driver who allegedly tried to hit a deputy together with his car.

Ward County prosecutors filed 18 fees on Monday, Feb. 27, towards Joshua Alex Chambers, 18, of Minot. These fees embrace tried homicide, possessing medicine in a correctional facility, legal mischief, reckless endangerment, theft, fleeing, aggravated reckless driving, failure to report a number of crashes and driving with a suspended license.

The fees stem from a Saturday morning pursuit that began in McLean County and ultimately went into downtown Minot. Deputies had been pursuing a stolen 2007 GMC Yukon that was northbound on U.S. Freeway 83 close to Underwood, North Dakota, in accordance with a legal criticism. The town is about 55 miles south of Minot.

In accordance with the criticism:

McLean County deputies tried to cease the SUV as a result of it was going 96 mph in a 70 mph zone. At occasions, it sped over 100 miles per hour.

The SUV used ditches to keep away from two makes an attempt by the Ward County Sheriff’s Division to deflate the car’s tires. The car was going about 15 mph when it used the left lane to keep away from a 3rd tire deflation machine. It then allegedly swerved to hit Ward County Deputy Conrad Kossan.

Kossan, who had his gun drawn and pointed on the driver, was struck by the car. He fired his weapon twice as he was knocked backward, however the SUV continued towards Minot. Kossan stated he was not injured.

Ward and McLean county deputies continued to pursue the car as Minot police tried unsuccessfully to divert the SUV. Officers reported the stolen car almost brought about quite a few head-on collisions whereas driving north within the southbound lane of Freeway 83.

In Minot, the car drove greater than twice the velocity restrict, at one level going 90 mph in a 40 mph zone. It used turning lanes to move automobiles that needed to abruptly transfer to the aspect and drove backward in a roundabout.

It additionally drove right into a snowbank, spun in circles in a downtown parking zone and struck two unattended automobiles earlier than hitting McLean County Deputy Alexander Torrez’s patrol car. Torrez shot as soon as on the SUV via the patrol car’s closed driver door window because the stolen car rammed the officer’s car.

The SUV then hit and disabled McLean County Deputy Coy Sayler’s and Ward County Deputy Jacob Hawkins’ automobiles. Sayler informed investigators his knees had been injured when Chambers rammed his car to the purpose that he was strolling with a limp. X-rays confirmed no bones had been damaged.

The stolen car stored going and hit a avenue signal, avenue gentle help pole, constructing, a planter and different objects.

The SUV didn’t cease till Torrez used his broken car to hit it close to Third Avenue Southeast and First Avenue Southeast. The second crash involving Torrez’s car disabled each the deputy’s car and the SUV.

Two passengers, recognized as 32-year-old Justyn Smith and Ajarius Hamilton, 20, allegedly fled from the car, regardless of Torrez’s instructions to cease, the criticism stated. The 2 had been captured by deputies and will face fees of refusal to halt and possessing marijuana, in accordance with a information launch.

Smith and Hamilton had not been charged as of Monday afternoon.

Chambers and a feminine passenger had been taken into custody from the SUV, the criticism stated. The lady complained of foot ache, and medical workers needed to take away a bullet from her foot at Trinity Hospital, in accordance with the criticism.

Chambers was cleared by medical workers and was taken to the Ward County Jail, the criticism stated. The criticism and information launch don’t title any accidents to Chambers.

Regulation enforcement discovered Chambers had a baggie of meth in his shoe, in accordance with the criticism.

The North Dakota Bureau of Felony Investigation is investigating the photographs fired by the officers, the discharge stated. Ward County Capt. Jason Kraft stated he couldn’t touch upon any inside investigations, together with selections to proceed the pursuit into Minot.

Chambers made gentle of the fees filed towards him whereas within the Ward County Jail, a correctional officer stated within the criticism. He bragged to inmates that he “virtually killed a deputy” and stole gasoline from a fuel station, in accordance with courtroom paperwork. He additionally allegedly made feedback of attacking deputies in jail, the criticism stated.

Courtroom information didn’t listing an lawyer for Chambers. It’s unclear when he’ll seem in courtroom.

April Baumgarten joined The Discussion board in February 2019 as an investigative reporter. She grew up on a ranch 10 miles southeast of Belfield, N.D., the place her household raises Hereford cattle. She double majored in communications and historical past/political science on the College of Jamestown, N.D.