Downed power lines complicate arrest after pursuit near Drexel

On December 15th Sheriff Anderson attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle that was not displaying a front license plate. The rear license plate came back to a subject from Independence, MO. Sheriff Anderson initiated his emergency lights and siren but the subject failed to pull over. The suspect began to pick up speed on County Road 10001. His speed began to exceed 60 mph. The vehicle then headed westbound on County Road 17402 where his speeds then exceeded 100 mph. Because of the dust and low visibility Sheriff Anderson reduced his speed. Sheriff then lost sight of the vehicle. He then continued south on 18 highway. When he rounded the corner he observed what appeared to be gravel dust in the area of state line road and 18 highway. 

The Sheriff then advised dispatch that the vehicle had gone south on state line road. As Sheriff Anderson came to the intersection of state line road and 18 he observed the vehicle on its side partially inside a house and against a power pole. Smoke was coming out of the rear of the vehicle and out of the house. Sheriff Anderson requested Fire and EMS to respond to the scene. The power line had snapped in half and was arcing in the tree. The Deputies who were passengers with Sheriff Anderson found a male subject laying on the ground three feet from the car. The subject was laying directly under the power lines. The subject was not able to crawl to the Deputies because of his injuries. 

 Sheriff Anderson feared that the power lines would fall on the subject and cause him more injuries or possibly death. The Deputies were able to pull the subject out from under the power lines. Sheriff asked the subject why he did not pull over for him and the subject stated that he did not remember. Sheriff and the Deputies then had to move the subject back farther from the scene because a power line dropped to the ground and began to arc within 10 feet of them. An ambulance from Miami County arrived and transported the subject to the hospital.



At this time charges are pending.