According to Watonga Chief of Police Beth Massey, about 8:25 a.m. on September 26, Watonga PD officer David Lacey attempted a traffic stop on a reported stolen vehicle. The driver did not stop and a pursuit began.
The driver crashed near CR 2540 and CR 850 south of Watonga. The driver, identified as Levi Baker, was taken into custody and treated for his injuries at Mercy Hospital Watonga.
He was booked into Blaine County Jail on charges of endangering while eluding officers; unauthorized use of motor vehicle; DUI; operating vehicle without a license; possession of controlled substance and paraphernalia; multiple counts of second-degree burglary; multiple counts of third-degree burglary and possession of stolen property. Baker is a suspect in many recent burglaries.
During the incident, a Blaine County deputy who was assisting in the pursuit and arrest after it left the city limits of Watonga was injured as the result of an unintentional weapons discharge. He was treated at an area hospital and released. The injuries were non-life threatening and he is expected to make a full recovery.