BRAINERD, MN – (trfnews.i234.me) – A Baxter man faces a felony charge after allegedly refusing to stop for police during an early-morning pursuit.
Ekeichu Kevin Echman, 41, of Baxter, is charged with fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle.
According to a Crow Wing County criminal complaint, the incident began around 1:11 a.m. on November 1, 2026.
Police allege Echman ignored repeated attempts to stop his vehicle before reaching a residence on Clearwater Road.
Suspicious Driving Catches Officer’s Attention
According to court documents, a Brainerd police officer was patrolling near downtown when several vehicles left the area.
The vehicles traveled westbound onto State Highway 210.
One vehicle caught the officer’s attention near North Fourth Street and Washington Street.
The driver reportedly slowed significantly while approaching a green traffic light.
The vehicle then began varying its speed, accelerating and braking repeatedly.
Police estimated the vehicle was traveling approximately 45 mph in a posted 35 mph zone.
The officer also reportedly observed the vehicle drift onto the center line before correcting its position.
Driver Allegedly Ignores Lights and Sirens
The officer activated emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop.
However, the complaint states the vehicle continued traveling without stopping.
The officer activated the squad car’s siren and later changed its tone.
When the driver still failed to stop, the officer also activated the vehicle’s air horn.
Despite those warnings, the vehicle allegedly accelerated to approximately 60 mph.
The officer also reported the vehicle continued through a yellow traffic light without slowing.
Believing the driver was attempting to flee, the officer eventually deactivated the emergency lights and siren.
Second Police Department Attempts Traffic Stop
After the initial pursuit, the vehicle reportedly changed lanes while signaling a right turn.
The Brainerd officer briefly reactivated emergency lights before switching them off again.
A Baxter police officer then followed the vehicle and activated emergency lights.
According to the complaint, the driver again failed to stop.
The vehicle continued onto Clearwater Road and eventually stopped at the registered owner’s address.
Police identified the registered owner and driver as Echman.
Officers then placed him in handcuffs.
Driver Claims He Mistook Police Lights for Ambulance
Following the stop, officers reported smelling alcohol and observing bloodshot, watery eyes.
Police conducted field sobriety testing and administered a preliminary breath test.
The preliminary test reportedly showed an alcohol concentration of 0.06.
The complaint does not list a DWI charge in connection with this incident.
During questioning, Echman reportedly told officers he had been confused by the emergency lights.
He claimed he believed the lights belonged to an ambulance.
Echman also discussed an earlier traffic stop when he was learning to drive in the United States.
He acknowledged seeing emergency lights during the November 1 incident but denied understanding the situation.
Felony Fleeing Charge Filed in Crow Wing County
Prosecutors charged Echman with fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle.
The felony charge falls under Minnesota Statute 609.487, Subdivision 3.
Under the statute, the offense carries up to three years and one day in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both.
The case is filed in Crow Wing County District Court under 18-CR-26-4042.
Additional case information can be searched through Minnesota Court Records Online.
The allegations are based on the criminal complaint. Echman is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
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