OSWEGO COUNTY — New York State Police arrested a 52-year-old Ogdensburg man Thursday evening following a high-speed pursuit on Interstate 81 that reached speeds exceeding 100 mph.
Michael R. Langstaff was taken into custody after leading troopers on a chase that began at approximately 6:40 p.m. July 24 when police observed the reckless operation of a white Dodge Ram traveling northbound in the town of Hastings.
The vehicle left the roadway, entered the median, and then re-entered traffic, swerving across multiple lanes, according to state police.
Trooper Cruz, positioned at U-turn 2, pulled onto Interstate 81 to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver failed to comply.
The suspect vehicle continued northbound, passing vehicles on the shoulder and making dangerous lane changes.
As the pursuit continued into the town of Richland, the suspect approached U-turn 10, where Trooper Freemen was stationary in a patrol vehicle.
The suspect veered toward the marked unit at high speed, narrowly missing it before continuing northbound in the median.
The driver then entered U-turn 17 at high speed, struck a traffic sign, and sustained a flat front tire.
Despite losing the front passenger-side wheel, the suspect continued southbound on three wheels.
The pursuit ended near mile marker 121 in the town of Richland after the vehicle slowed, turned to face pursuing patrols, and came to a stop on the shoulder.
Both State Police and the Oswego County Sheriff’s Office attempted to deploy spike strips during the incident, but the driver evaded them by driving onto the shoulder.
Langstaff refused to exit the vehicle and was observed reaching toward the backseat and center console.
An Oswego County Sheriff’s Deputy deployed several bean bag rounds through the windshield, striking Langstaff.
After continued noncompliance, a taser was used, and Langstaff was forcibly removed from the vehicle while actively resisting arrest.
A New York State Police K-9 also assisted in taking him into custody.
No injuries were reported.
Langstaff was transported to SP Pulaski for processing and charged with reckless endangerment in the 1st degree, menacing a police officer, driving while intoxicated, unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle in the 3rd degree, and reckless driving.
He was arraigned in Fulton City Court and remanded to Oswego County Jail in lieu of $25,000 cash, $50,000 bond, or $250,000 partially secured bond.
