MONTPELIER, VT — A 23-year-old transient faces multiple charges following a high-speed pursuit that ended in a crash and injuries to two passengers.
Montpelier Police officers on overnight patrol observed a suspicious vehicle at the Granite Street and Barre Street intersection at approximately 3 a.m. on Nov. 15.
As officers attempted to follow the vehicle, it immediately accelerated and began driving erratically.
The vehicle traveled on Barre Street, Pioneer Street, and River Street at speeds exceeding 60 mph, passed through a flashing red light without stopping, and then turned off all exterior lights while continuing at high speed.
The operator proceeded the wrong way through the U.S. Route 2/Route 302 roundabout and continued east on Route 2 at speeds over 95 mph.
On Route 2 in East Montpelier, the operator lost control, struck a guardrail, and came to rest after spinning across multiple lanes.
Two passengers reported injuries and stated that the driver refused repeated requests to stop or allow them to exit.
Both were transported to Central Vermont Medical Center by Barretown Ambulance.
The operator, Elijah Knowles, fled on foot.
Knowles was found to be criminally suspended from operating a motor vehicle in Vermont.
The following evening, Montpelier Police responded to a report that Knowles was violating active court-ordered conditions of release on Cummings Street.
After officers searched the area and maintained surveillance, Knowles fled from a residence and was taken into custody without further incident.
As he was in violation of his probation, he was turned over to the Vermont Department of Corrections for an emergency arrest and lodged at the Northeast Regional Correctional Facility in St. Johnsbury.
Knowles will appear in Washington County Superior Court, Criminal Division, on Nov. 17 to be arraigned on charges of driving while criminally suspended, eluding a police officer while operating in a grossly negligent manner, unlawful restraint in the first degree, excessive speed, grossly negligent operation, leaving the scene of an accident and violation of conditions of release.
