A 56-year-old Lyon Township man was taken into custody early Friday morning by the Oakland County sheriff’s department following a multi-jurisdiction vehicle pursuit that began Thursday evening in Lyon Township.
At 6:55 p.m. on Thursday the sheriff’s office received an alert from Livingston County for a driver who had fled from a traffic stop and was suspected of operating a vehicle while under the influence of crack cocaine and alcohol.
A deputy located the suspect’s vehicle near South Hill Road and Eleven Mile Road in Lyon Township and attempted a traffic stop. The driver refused to stop, fleeing at relatively slow speeds into Milford Township.
“When you have an individual, through intentional and reckless behavior, put other drivers and the community at risk, he must be held accountable,” said Sheriff Michael Bouchard. “I always appreciate the teamwork displayed by our law enforcement partners as we work together to protect the public.”
Milford police assumed command of the pursuit. The suspect rammed two Wixom police patrol vehicles before continuing through Milford and into Highland Township.
Oakland County deputies rejoined the pursuit and later the suspect intentionally struck one of their patrol vehicles before the pursuit ended near Hickory Ridge and Rose Center roads.
The driver fled on foot into a wooded area and was observed entering a nearby pond in an attempt to evade capture.
Deputies searched the pond but did not find the suspect. Later they responded to a report of a suspicious person in Highland Township at 3:00 a.m.
Deputies recognized the individual as the suspect who had fled earlier and took him into custody without incident.
Investigators are seeking multiple charges, including fleeing and eluding police, resisting and obstructing a police officer, felonious assault of a police officer, operating while license revoked, and other traffic-related offenses. Additional charges may be sought as the investigation continues.