JAMESTOWN, N.D. — An 18-year-old man from Bismarck was arrested Saturday after leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase that culminated in a collision in Jamestown, authorities reported. Jamie Raye Barnes is currently being held at the Stutsman County Correctional Center, facing multiple charges, including felony reckless endangerment and possession of stolen property.
The incident unfolded shortly after 8 a.m. when a North Dakota Highway Patrol trooper responded to reports of reckless driving on Interstate 94. The trooper attempted to pull over Barnes, who was driving a 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, but the suspect fled east toward Jamestown. When the vehicle exited the highway, the trooper discontinued the pursuit and communicated the vehicle’s description to local police.
According to Jamestown Police Major Justin Blinsky, the Monte Carlo entered the city, navigating through residential areas. Officers and deputies from the Stutsman County Sheriff’s Office, who were informed of the vehicle’s trajectory, located it as it neared the intersection of 17th Street Southwest and U.S. Highway 281. At that point, Barnes ran a red light and narrowly avoided hitting another vehicle.
Police initiated a pursuit through Business Loop West while trying to alert other drivers to the dangerous situation. Barnes continued to evade capture, turning onto 1st Avenue South. Attempts by law enforcement to deploy tire deflation devices were unsuccessful, as the vehicle veered off the road.
The chase continued as Barnes drove east on 10th Street Southeast and disregarded another red light, colliding with a 2021 GMC Sierra pickup truck driven by a 30-year-old Jamestown resident. Both vehicles came to a stop in the 1000 block of 7th Avenue Southeast. Fortunately, airbags deployed during the crash, preventing serious injuries.
After the collision, Barnes attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended quickly by officers. He was accompanied by two male juveniles and one female juvenile, all from Bismarck. Barnes and one juvenile passenger were transported to Jamestown Regional Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries, while the pickup driver also sustained minor injuries and sought later medical attention independently.
During the investigation, authorities found that Barnes had fled from police in Bismarck the night before, and the Monte Carlo had been taken without the owner’s consent. Impairment from drugs is suspected to have played a role in the driving behavior.
The incident remains under investigation, with assistance from the Bismarck Police Department.
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