(NDHP)   The North Dakota Highway Patrol reports that  motor vehicle pursuit occurred Saturday on I-29 spanning several counties. The pursuit originated in Pembina County. A Pembina County Deputy observed a vehicle that was reported as stolen from Harwood ND and was exceeding the speed limit. When the Deputy attempted a traffic stop the vehicle fled southbound on I-29. The top speed of the fleeing vehicle during the pursuit was 95 mph. 

The suspect vehicle exited the interstate and traveled eastbound on Hwy 54, briefly entering Minnesota before turning westbound and returning to North Dakota where it continued to travel southbound on I-29. As Law Enforcement continued to pursue, the suspect vehicle drove over spike strips set out by the Grand Forks Sheriff’s Office deflating one tire, the suspect vehicle continued to flee southbound. The suspect vehicle entered a construction zone on I-29, south of Hillsboro, and drove southbound in the northbound lane towards oncoming traffic before it merged back into the southbound lanes. At milepost 75 on I-29 the suspect vehicle drove over spike strips deployed by a NDHP Trooper, the suspect vehicle continued to flee southbound on I-29 with only one tire remaining on the vehicle. The suspect vehicle was unable to maintain one lane and began to steer towards pursuing law enforcement vehicles. A Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) was utilized on the fleeing vehicle before it was able to enter the Fargo Metro area. The suspect left the roadway entering the west ditch of I-29. Once off the roadway, the suspect vehicle continued to flee southbound in the ditch and drove back onto I-29 where it struck a NDHP squad car. The suspect vehicle was then forcibly rammed off the roadway by a NDHP squad car ending the pursuit in the west ditch.

A juvenile male driver and juvenile male passenger were taken into custody without further incident. The pursuit covered 103 miles on I-29. There were no injuries to the suspects or law enforcement. Both suspects are facing charges of fleeing, reckless endangerment, theft of a motor vehicle and possession of stolen property.

Agencies involved in this incident are Pembina County Sheriff’s Office, Walsh County Sheriff’s Office, Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Office, Trail County Sheriff’s Office, Cass County Sheriff’s office and the North Dakota Highway Patrol.