Charges: Illinois Man Fled Trooper in 120 mph Chase in Rochester
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- An Illinois man is facing several charges in connection with a high speed chase that began in Rochester over the Labor Day Weekend.
The criminal complaint, filed in Olmsted County Court on Tuesday says a State Trooper parked on the 6th St. Southwest entrance ramp to southbound Hwy. 52 spotted an SUV traveling 84 mph in the 60 mph zone around 5:45 p.m. Sunday. The trooper reported the suspect vehicle stopped in the left southbound lane after activating his squad car’s emergency lights.
The trooper exited the squad to tell the driver to pull the vehicle on the shoulder. The charges say the vehicle then fled the area at a high rate of speed.
The trooper activated his squad’s siren and gave chase, reporting the suspect vehicle traveling between both lanes of southbound traffic and passing other drivers on the left and right shoulders of the freeway at average speeds estimated to be 120 mph, the complaint says.
The trooper, armed with a description of the suspect driver and female passenger riding in the vehicle, discontinued the pursuit after losing sight of the SUV.
Less than two hours after the attempted traffic stop, police in Chatfield were dispatched to a report of a man and woman, who matched the description of the SUV occupants, seen walking through yards on the south side of the city. The man and woman had gone into a field south of Hwy. 52.
After a brief search of the field, officers found and arrested the male suspect identified as 33-year-old Deander Zachairs Pulliam. The charges say authorities found he had documents that indicated he owned the suspect vehicle along with a suspended Illinois driver’s license.
Pulliam denied driving the vehicle. The Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office reported locating the female passenger who said Pulliam was the SUV driver, according to the complaint.
Pulliam was arraigned Wednesday morning on a felony fleeing charge and misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and driving without a license.
His bail was set at $30,000 without conditions. He’s due back in court on September 20.
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