18-Year-Old Bismarck Man Arrested After Police Pursuit Ends in Crash
On Saturday, May 10, an 18-year-old man from Bismarck was apprehended following a high-speed chase that commenced on Interstate 94 and culminated in a two-vehicle collision in Jamestown. The incident began around 8 a.m. when a North Dakota Highway Patrol trooper responded to reports of reckless driving on I-94, as stated by Maj. Justin Blinsky of the Jamestown Police Department.
The Incident
Authorities identified the driver as Jamie Raye Barnes. According to police reports, a trooper attempted to pull over Barnes while he was driving a 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo about a mile west of Eldridge. Instead of stopping, Barnes fled the scene, heading east toward Jamestown.
As Barnes approached Jamestown, the trooper abandoned the pursuit but relayed the vehicle’s description to local officers. Upon exiting the interstate at exit 257, Barnes was seen driving recklessly through residential neighborhoods in southwest Jamestown. Law enforcement officials, including officers from the Jamestown Police Department and deputies from the Stutsman County Sheriff’s Office, were alerted to his movements.
Crash and Arrest
The reckless driving came to a head when Barnes disregarded a red light and collided with a 2021 GMC Sierra pickup traveling southbound. The impact occurred near the intersection of 10th Street Southeast and 7th Avenue Southeast, with both vehicles coming to a halt in the 1000 block of 7th Avenue. Airbags deployed during the crash, and while Barnes attempted to flee on foot, he was quickly apprehended by responding officers.
Casualties and Injuries
Barnes and one of his juvenile passengers were transported to Jamestown Regional Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries. Additionally, the driver of the other vehicle, a 30-year-old man, sustained minor injuries and later sought medical attention independently.
Charges and Investigation
At present, Barnes is being held in Stutsman County Correctional Center on several charges, including felony reckless endangerment, driving with a suspended license, and possession of stolen property. He has also received an infraction for possession of marijuana. Further charges from other law enforcement agencies are expected as the investigation continues.
It was revealed during the investigation that the Chevrolet Monte Carlo had been taken without the owner’s consent. Authorities believe that impairment from drugs may have played a role in Barnes’s reckless behavior leading up to the crash.
The Bismarck Police Department was also involved in the investigation, which remains ongoing.
