–A Missouri man is facing multiple felony charges after leading law enforcement officials on a chase from Pocahontas to Emmetsburg Friday night.
According to the Pocahontas Police Department, Officers observed a 2004 Chevy Colorado operating recklessly as it exited the Casey’s convenience store, near the intersection of Highway 3 and Highway 4 Friday around 9 PM. The vehicle failed to stop at a stop sign and accelerated north along Highway 4, reaching speeds of over 100 MPH, swerving in and out of the southbound lane, forcing some vehicles off the road.
The vehicle left Pocahontas County, and as it was approaching Emmetsburg, Palo Alto County Deputies deployed stop sticks to try and end the pursuit. The stop sticks successfully deflated the driver side tires, but the driver continued towards Emmetsburg at speeds close to 70 MPH. A Pocahontas County Deputy attempted a PIT maneuver near the intersection of Iowa Highway 4 and US Highway 18 in Emmetsburg and was initially successful in ending the pursuit.
At this point, the driver, identified as 39-year-old Grant Buersmeyer of Westphalia, Missouri failed to comply with law enforcement commands to exit the vehicle. When officers attempted to remove him, Buersmeyer put the vehicle in drive, colliding with vehicles from the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Department and the Pocahontas Police Department, while also striking a Pocahontas Police Officer, who suffered minor injuries.
Buersmeyer is facing charges of OWI 1st offense, Eluding 1st Offense (Class D Felony), 1st Degree Criminal Mischief (Class C Felony), 2nd Degree Criminal Mischief (Class D Felony), Assaulting a Peace Officer with Intent to Inflict Serious Injury (Class D Felony), Interference with Official Acts, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He is being held on a $33,000 bond and received a contempt charge from a Pocahontas County Magistrate judge due to his behavior during an initial court appearance.
