Man charged after leading trooper on high-speed chase through Grand Forks County, rolling vehicle

(Valley News Live) -A Grand Forks man is facing two felony charges after North Dakota Highway Patrol says he led a trooper on a high-speed chase reaching 115 mph before crashing his vehicle.

Lucas Joseph Swanson, 31, was charged September 1 in Grand Forks County District Court with reckless endangerment and fleeing a peace officer in a vehicle, both Class C felonies. He remains in custody at the Grand Forks County Jail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for October 12.

According to a declaration of probable cause, a trooper on stationary patrol near mile marker 349 on Highway 2 clocked Swanson’s vehicle traveling 92 mph on August 31. The trooper reported the vehicle swerved toward his location as it passed, nearly striking him head-on, and that Swanson raised his arm out the window as he passed.

The trooper caught up to the vehicle and clocked it again at 94 mph before activating emergency lights, according to the declaration. Swanson did not slow down and continued westbound on Highway 2. Near mile marker 343, with a semi and box truck occupying both lanes, the declaration states Swanson entered the median at approximately 96 mph, began fishtailing, and nearly struck the box truck before exiting onto Grand Forks County Road 3.

The pursuit continued northbound, with Swanson reaching speeds of approximately 115 mph, according to the declaration. Troopers said he continued through the community of Mekinock at more than 90 mph in a 40-mph zone and disregarded two stop signs. After the roadway transitioned from asphalt to gravel, the declaration states Swanson’s vehicle began fishtailing again before he regained control.

While attempting to turn onto another road, the declaration states Swanson entered a ditch and rolled the vehicle onto its roof. The trooper approached with his weapon drawn and gave commands for Swanson to show his hands, which he complied with. Swanson told the trooper he was in pain but was not seriously injured and was later transported to the Grand Forks County Jail.