Afton man caught after high speed chase

police lights

An Afton man was arrested Tuesday after a high speed chase that started near Lorimor and ended near Afton that included a damaged patrol car and minor injuries to deputies.

According to the Union County Sheriff’s office, Jeremiah Crago, 26, was charged with driving while suspended, felony eluding, interference with official acts causing injury, speeding, failure to provide proof of financial responsibility accident involved and operation of a non-registered vehicle.

At about 10 p.m., deputies observed a white Chevrolet Trailblazer on U.S. Highway 169 south of Lorimor with no taillights and no license plates on the vehicle. Deputies visually identified the driver as Crag. Deputies initiated a traffic stop but Crago failed to stop and increased his speed to approximately 80 mph. Crago was traveling south on Highway 169, swerving in and out of lanes and turned west onto U.S. Highway 34.

Afton Police joined the pursuit east of Afton and another deputy joined west of Afton. The three law enforcement units set up a rolling roadblock. A deputy was able to drive in front of Crago, slowing the pursuit down to approximately 40 mph, at which time Crago collided with the deputy’s patrol vehicle. All patrol units and vehicle driven by Crago came to a stop on Highway 34 near Old Highway 34. Crago resisted arrest, slipped his handcuffs and fought with deputies attempting to take him into custody before eventually being securely handcuffed.

The Trailblazer he was driving was towed to the Union County Law Enforcement Center where Creston Police K9 Baxo was deployed and alerted to the odor of narcotics and located marijuana in the vehicle. This resulted in an additional charge of possession of marijuana second or subsequent offense. Crago was additionally found to have an active outside agency warrant.

Crago was transported to the Union County Jail. The patrol vehicle sustained approximately $3,000 in damage. Two deputies suffered minor injuries with cuts and scrapes while fighting with Crago.