Jamestown  (JPD) Jamestown Assistant Police Chief, Major, Justin Blinsky reports, that on Wednesday September 23,2020, at approximately 5:53-p.m., the Jamestown Police Department responded to reports of a reckless driver in the northeast part of Jamestown. One caller described the reckless vehicle as chasing another vehicle along 5 Ave NE. The vehicle went off the roadway and struck a deck on the front of a house, in the 900 block of 5 Ave NE.

The striking vehicle then left the scene of the accident and continued chasing the other vehicle. The reckless driver proceeded to bump the vehicle he had been originally chasing, in the 600 block of 5 Ave NE.
The vehicle which was struck by the reckless driver was able to quickly turn off and leave the area to avoid any further confrontation.

At approximately 6:09 p.m., the striking vehicle, which was identified as a 2007 Nissan Maxima, was located turning into a parking area along the 900 block of Thomas Ave NE. An officer attempted to make contact with the driver of the vehicle, but the driver sped off. The vehicle fled from officers, until coming to a stop in a parking area along the 1500 block of 11 Ave NE. The male driver then fled on foot, while a female passenger remained with the vehicle. The male driver was caught within a short distance and was taken into custody, without further incident. The female driver was detained, questioned, and later released from the scene.

29-year-old Jonathon Lopez was arrested on suspicion of Driving under the influence of alcohol, Reckless Driving, Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Police in a motor vehicle, Failure to Halt, Driving without a valid Operators License and Leaving the scene of an accident. Lopez is temporarily residing in Jamestown but has ties to Texas. Lopez was transported to Stutsman County Corrections, where he awaits formal charges.

This incident remains under investigation and more charges are possible. The Jamestown Police Department was assisted by the Stutsman County Sheriff’s Department. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Jamestown Police Department at 701-252-2414.