(Pocahontas)– A pursuit Friday evening on Highway 4 between Pocahontas and Emmetsburg ended with minor injuries to an officer and with the suspect going to jail on multiple charges.
Authorities say it started around 9:00 pm when police in Pocahontas witnessed a vehicle leaving the parking lot of a convenience store that was being driven recklessly. The vehicle continued northbound at a high rate of speed on Highway 4 at speeds as high as 100 mph. At one point, authorities say the vehicle was swerving as the suspect driver was attempting to release chainsaws in the back of the pickup at the officers. The vehicle traveled into the opposite lane of the highway, forcing several motorists off the road. Officers deployed stop sticks as the pursuit neared Emmetsburg, flattening the tires of the pickup. The driver, however, continued on at speeds of 70 mph. A deputy with the Pocahontas County Sheriff’s Office executed what’s known as a “pit maneuver”, which ended the pursuit at the intersection of Highways 4 and 18 in Emmetsburg. As officers were trying to remove the driver from the vehicle, he placed it into drive and rammed a vehicle from the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office head-on, resulting in more than $16,000 in damage. As he drove forward, the suspect struck an officer with the Pocahontas Police Department with the vehicle. Officers then tried to block the driver, but not before he rammed into a squad car from the Pocahontas Police Department resulting in more than $10,000 in damage to that vehicle. The officer that was struck sustained minor injuries.
The suspect, identified as 39-year-old Drew Buersmeyer of Westphalia, Missouri, was eventually taken into custody. He was booked into the Pocahontas county jail on charges of operating while intoxicated or drugged…1st offense; eluding; criminal mischief in the 1st degree; criminal mischief in the 2nd degree; assaulting a peace officer with intent to inflict serious injury; interference with official acts; possession of marijuana…1st offense and possession of drug paraphernalia. Authorities obtained and executed a search warrant on the pickup Buersmeyer had been driving, turning up several ounces of marijuana. A dog that was also in the pickup was recovered and is in the custody of family members.
Authorities say the investigation is ongoing and that more charges are possible. They say Buersmeyer was calling people as he was running from law enforcement.
Buersmeyer is being held on a $33,300 bond.
He was additionally charged with contempt by a Pocahontas County Magistrate Judge due to his behavior during an initial court appearance.
