Responding to multiple calls of reckless driving, Juneau Police Department officers became involved in a car chase that ended with several collisions and over $10,000 in damages Sunday afternoon.
According to a press release from the department, at about 3:31 p.m. Sunday, JPD received several complaints about a black pickup truck in the area of Mendenhall Loop Road and Egan Drive. The truck, described as an older model Chevrolet, was swerving and driving well below the speed limit.
Officers pursued the vehicle in a slow speed chase with the truck driving into oncoming lanes and over sidewalks, the release states.
Spike strips were used at the intersection of Mendenhall Loop Road and Glacier Spur Road. In an attempt to avoid the strips, the truck swerved and crashed into a parked police car. The trucks rear tires were damaged by the spikes but the driver still refused to stop, according to the release.
On the 4300 block of Mendenhall Loop Road, police said it appeared that the driver of the truck was attempting to ram into a gold colored SUV. One of the pursuing officers was able to pull in between the truck and the SUV, causing the truck to crash into the officer’s vehicle and ending the chase.
Police said the driver of the truck was arrested and identified as 31-year-old Brandon James Gee, of Juneau. Gee was charged with seven crimes, four of them felonies, including assaulting a police officer.
The release noted that a JPD officer received minor injuries to his hand during the pursuit, and that damages to JPD vehicles is estimated to be about $7,000.
