By Josh Margolis
HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – A high speed vehicle pursuit Thursday afternoon ended with 51-year-old Franklin James Buck III of Valier surrendering in an alfalfa field south of Chester just after 2:30 PM.
Havre Police Captain Aaron Wittmer says the pursuit began just before 1:15 PM on 5th Street in Havre, when Buck refused to stop the GMC Envoy he was driving after being prompted to by Police.
The vehicle spent around 10 minutes driving around Havre at speeds of up to 80 miles an hour before heading west on US 2 towards Chester and traveling up to 100 miles an hour.
The Envoy turned south in Chester on Highway 223 before abruptly heading into an alfalfa field near Tiber Dam. Buck then exited the vehicle and surrendered to authorities.
Wittmer says it is likely the vehicle either ran out of gas or suffered a mechanical failure.
Unsuccessful attempts to stop the vehicle with spike strips were made in Havre, Hingham and Chester.
The only injury that has been reported is from Buck, who complained of shoulder pain after being arrested. He was evaluated and released from Northern Montana Hospital before being taken to the Hill County Detention Center.
Wittmer says his patrol car suffered moderate damage after being hit by the Envoy in the Hospital Hill area in Havre, and the GMC Envoy had its doors crunched in.
Buck faces numerous pending charges including felony criminal endangerment and driving under the influence. Wittmer says Buck is well known to area law enforcement.
Wittmer adds that there were several people that were attempting to follow the pursuit in an effort to videotape it. He says this endangered law enforcement and was extremely unsafe, adding that those responsible for the actions have been identified and could also face charges.
Agencies that responded included Havre Police, Hill and Liberty County Sheriffs, and the Montana Highway Patrol.
This post has been updated
