A Pocatello man was arrested Thursday after leading several law enforcement agencies on a high-speed pursuit through multiple jurisdictions before he was shot with a non-lethal bean bag and a Taser.
Michael T. Casey, 52, of Pocatello, has been charged with one count of felony eluding police and one count of resisting and obstructing. He is currently incarcerated at the Bingham County jail.
The pursuit started at approximately 7:45 a.m. Thursday on U.S. Highway 91 south of Firth, according to Bingham County Sheriff Craig Rowland.
Deputies with the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office observed a 2004 gold Saab convertible, operated by Casey, traveling 75 mph on a road with the posted speed limit of 55 mph, Rowland said. Deputies reported that Casey maintained that speed when the limit changed to 35 mph.
Casey fled when deputies attempted to stop him in connection to the traffic violation and the pursuit began, Rowland said. Casey continued driving north on Highway 91 into Shelley. Officers with the Shelley Police Department joined the pursuit as Casey continued heading north.
At 7:55 a.m., the Idaho Falls Police Department received notification of an active pursuit involving the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office and the Shelley Police Department, according to an Idaho Falls news release. At 8:02 a.m. Casey crashed into a red Toyota RAV4 near the intersection of Highway 91 and West 17th Street in Idaho Falls.
Idaho Falls Police and Idaho Falls Emergency Medical Services arrived at the scene minutes later to assist the law enforcement agencies with the accident.
Idaho Falls Police diverted and blocked traffic until the scene was secured and measured for accident reconstruction analysis.
Idaho Falls Police said Casey was at fault for the accident. Traveling northbound on Highway 91, Casey swerved around a truck near the intersection of Highway 91 and 17th Street and the SUV struck the passenger side of his car. Casey’s gold Saab convertible came to rest on the curb facing oncoming traffic, police said.
No one was injured in the collision, Rowland said.
Casey became combative with police after he exited the vehicle and did not comply until after he was shot with a non-lethal bean bag and a Taser, Rowland said, adding that Casey had no warrants for his arrest and passed a drug recognition evaluation.
Idaho State Police troopers brought a police K-9 to the scene to search for narcotics but nothing was found, Rowland said.
“I have no idea why this guy decided to run from police,” Rowland said.
In April, Casey was charged in Pocatello with disturbing the peace and resisting and obstructing officers, both misdemeanors. Last week, Casey was cited for an unsafe lane change and failure to purchase insurance. And on Wednesday, Casey was cited for a headlight violation in Pocatello.
If convicted of the felony eluding charge, Casey could be forced to surrender his driver’s license for up to three years.



(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In