Updated at: 11/28/2009 7:34 PM
By: Katie Nordeen
KNordeen@wdio.com

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High Speed Chase Ends on HWY 61

For Mora Officer Steven Hoberg a routine Saturday patrol quickly turned to anything but that, when a speeding driver refused to stop. Hoberg said the suspect was going about 63 MPH in a 40 MPH zone. Despite the officer's attempts to pull him over, the suspect did not stop, Hoberg said. 

"That's when I called dispatch and notified them I was in a pursuit," Hoberg said.

But what the experienced veteran officer did not realize, was just how long and far this pursuit would go.

"A lot of times the people just want to get to a certain point," Hoberg said. "I don't believe this gentlemen had any set point in mind, other than not stopping."

Hoberg says the suspect got on Interstate-35 and raced north, allegedly reaching speeds of 120 MPH. He lead authorities from several agencies, including the State Patrol, through four different counties. It started in Kanabec County and finally came to an end about 100 miles away, just a few yards shy of Lake County

According to Lieutenant Quint Stainbrook from the Minnesota State Patrol, traffic was less than they had feared. Officers reacted quickly and blocked off roads as they managed to deploy several "stop sticks."

"The officers showed very good restraint with a person that was unpredictable," Stainbrook said.

The suspect eventually lost control and drove into the median on Highway 61 and Knife River. He was moving at such a high rate of speed, officials say his vehicle managed to jump over the water and land on the other side of the embankment.

"He just cleared the river and the vehicle rolled over and went into flames," Stainbrook said. "A couple of our officers were able to pull him out of the burning vehicle, and get him to safety."

The suspect was taken to a Duluth area Hospital where officials say, he is being treated for non-life threatening injuries. According to Lt. Stainbrook, the high speed chase could have ended so much worse.

"It's a scary situation because you're worried about the outcome," Stainbrook said. "You're worried about your officers, you're worried about the suspect, you're worried about the public. It's a very high risk situation," he said. 

Officials say it is still unclear as to why the suspect initially fled the officer in Mora.