Becker County, MN (trfnews.i234.me)—On January 7, at approximately 1:43 p.m., a Minnesota State Patrol trooper observed a black Chevrolet Impala on Highway 10 in Detroit Lakes. The driver, identified as 30-year-old Alan Steven Walker of Moorhead, was allegedly holding a cell phone near his face while operating the vehicle. The trooper initiated a traffic stop; however, the Impala turned onto Morrow Avenue, proceeded past a former restaurant, entered a gas station, and then accelerated northbound on Morrow Avenue. Due to safety concerns, the trooper discontinued the pursuit but noted the vehicle re-entering Highway 10 at high speed, passing another vehicle on the shoulder.
At 1:55 p.m., a Department of Natural Resources conservation officer located the Impala in a driveway on County Road 15 in western Becker County. Upon the officer’s arrival, the vehicle reversed, circumvented the officer’s vehicle, and proceeded south on County Road 15. The officer did not engage in a pursuit.
By 2:05 p.m., a Becker County sheriff’s deputy encountered the Impala traveling at 61 mph in a 55 mph zone on County Road 5 near Stakke Lake Road in the Cormorant Lakes area. The deputy attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle continued northbound. A tire deflation device was deployed unsuccessfully as the Impala evaded it by driving across a lawn, between two businesses, over a snowbank, and onto the Lake Park Highway 10 frontage road.
The deputy executed a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver, but the Impala continued, reaching speeds up to 110 mph on Highway 10. Upon entering Clay County, multiple PIT maneuvers were attempted. The vehicle was eventually stopped, and Walker was apprehended.
During the arrest, officers detected a strong odor of alcohol, and an open container was observed on the driver’s side floorboard. Walker refused to provide blood or urine samples at the jail. His driving privileges had been canceled on September 24, deemed inimical to public safety following a prior driving under the influence charge.
Walker has been charged in Becker County District Court with three felony counts of fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, along with gross misdemeanor charges of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) and driving after license cancellation. An order for detention was signed by District Judge Michelle W. Lawson, with Walker’s initial court appearance scheduled for January 8.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for trfnews.i234.me