DOWAGIAC — Officers of the Dowagiac Police Department made an arrest of a subject for drug and driver’s license violations following a short vehicle pursuit on Friday evening.

At approximately 11:39 p.m. Friday, an officer with the Dowagiac Police Department was on patrol and noted a vehicle parked suspiciously on E. Wayne Street near W. Railroad Street. The vehicle drove away as the officer approached, and the officer began to follow the vehicle. The vehicle accelerated rapidly and ran a stop sign in front of the officer.

When the officer turned on his lights to make a traffic stop on the vehicle, the suspect fled northbound on W. Railroad Street. As the vehicle approached E. Prairie Ronde Street, it attempted to make a turn, lost control and struck a utility pole, disabling the vehicle. The officer was able to take the driver into custody at that time, according to police.

Upon searching the driver, the on-scene officer located a pipe in his pocket which tested positive for meth. The driver was also found to not have a valid driver’s license.  The driver was known to officers who were aware that he had a felony warrant for his arrest for assault with a dangerous weapon from a prior incident. Upon speaking with the driver, officers were advised that he had been smoking both meth and marijuana prior to driving the vehicle.    

A passenger in the vehicle, a 22-year-old Dowagiac woman, received minor injuries as a result of the crash.  The passenger was transported to Ascension Borgess Lee Memorial Hospital by PRIDE Ambulance where she was treated and released. The passenger is not being charged with anything at this time.

Officers also transported the driver, a 19-year-old Dowagiac man, to the hospital to be evaluated and he was found to not be injured as a result of the crash and was released.    

Officers arrested the driver for fleeing and eluding, possession of meth, operating under the influence of drugs, driving with no operator’s license, and the original felony warrant. He was lodged at the Cass County Jail on these charges. 

All charges are pending authorization from the Cass County Prosecutor’s Office. 

The names are being withheld pending arraignment in Cass County 4th District Court.