Man leads Albert Lea police on chase, crashes car into garage

Aug. 09--Albert Lea police arrested a Brooklyn Center man Monday after a car chase that reached speeds in excess of 80 mph and ended when the vehicle crashed into a garage.

Jordan Smith

Jordan James Smith, 19, was arrested for fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, fourth-degree driving while intoxicated, third-degree test refusal, driving after suspension, underage drinking and fleeing on foot.

Albert Lea Deputy Director of Police J.D. Carlson said the chase started at the intersection of Fenton Avenue and S.E. Marshall Street when an officer initiated a traffic stop on a Ford Escape because it appeared Smith was not wearing his seatbelt.

Carlson said the officer asked for an identification, but the driver was unable to provide one. The officer reportedly smelled an odor of alcohol.

The chase then reportedly began as the vehicle traveled to Morningside Drive, then to East Main Street.

An officer was reportedly going 80 to 85 mph on East Main Street, and the vehicle was still pulling away from him.

Smith reportedly turned right onto William Street and headed west before running stop signs at Newton and Broadway avenues and then turning left onto Broadway.

Police reports state Smith turned left onto East Main Street before reaching the intersection of Main Street and Newton Avenue, and passed two vehicles on the left and a sergeant's fully-marked squad car.

Smith then reportedly turned left onto Elizabeth Avenue before making a right-hand turn onto William Street and running another stop sign while narrowly missing another vehicle. Smith then reportedly turned into an alley near the State Farm Insurance building and onto a driveway behind 308 William St., before losing control of the vehicle and striking the corner of the garage with his vehicle. He was reportedly arrested after entering the house.

Smith was transported to the Freeborn County jail, and refused an alcohol breath test, Carlson said.

The Minnesota State Patrol assisted in the chase.

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