Car burns after pursuit

By Dan Nienaber

MANKATO July 09, 2009 12:44 pm

— A Chevy Caprice that was used to lead police on a high speed chase from Mankato to Elysian Thursday morning apparently wasn’t up to the task.
The car started smoking then burst into flames shortly after the pursuit ended, a Mankato Police Department report said. It’s driver, 33-year-old Matt Peterson of Albert Lea, and his passenger had been removed from the car before the fire expanded out of the engine area.
“The car was not mechanically sound in the first place, but he decided to try and get away from us anyway,” said Cmdr. Jeremy Clifton of the Mankato Police Department.
The pursuit started shortly after a pedestrian called 911 at 2:56 a.m. to report an older model Caprice had swerved toward him while he was walking near the intersection of Spring Street and Broad Street. When the car was spotted a short time later by an officer near the intersection of Madison Avenue and Highway 22, it swerved over the center line, the report said.
After the officer turned on his emergency lights, the car’s driver headed east on Highway 14. The pursuit continued through rural areas of Blue Earth County and Le Sueur County, reaching speeds around 80 mph, before ending a few miles east of Elysian.
The Minnesota State Patrol assisted with the chase. No one was injured.
Peterson, who did not have a license, refused to submit to alcohol tests after his arrest, Clifton said. Drunken driving charges are being requested.
Peterson’s passenger was released after being identified and returned to Mankato, the report said.