A Boise man has been booked into the Ada County Jail after leading police on a high-speed chase along Interstate 84 early Tuesday morning.
A Meridian Police officer attempted to pull over Michael O’Brien in an eastbound lane of Interstate 84 near the Eagle Road interchange -– after recognizing O’Brien and knowing there was a warrant for the man’s arrest.
However, O’Brien sped away -– “at speeds up to 90 mph,” according to Meridian Police Chief Tracy Basterrechea.
Ada County Sheriff’s Office deputies assisted, laying down spike strips in O’Brien’s path -– which deflated his tires.
“However, O’Brien continued to flee in his vehicle and exited I-84 at Orchard Street, then continued north on Orchard at speeds up to 70 mph,” Basterrechea said.
Police said O’Brien tried to turn east onto Targee Street, but could not negotiate the turn and slid to a stop.
He then reportedly tried to run from the scene, but was taken into custody by deputies.
During the pursuit, O’Brien threw a cell phone from his vehicle, which was later recovered by police, Basterrechea stated.
During a search of his vehicle, police say they found about thirty grams of methamphetamine, almost eight grams of cocaine, over 34 grams of marijuana, about one gram of Butane Honey Oil, three digital scales, multiple Ziploc baggies, smoking pipes, snort tubes and other drug paraphernalia, as well as a pay/owe ledger.
O’Brien now faces felony charges of drug trafficking, eluding an officer, destruction of evidence, possessing a controlled substance and violating parole, as well as misdemeanors of possessing a controlled substance, possessing drug paraphernalia, and resisting and obstructing officers.
