O’FALLON, Mo., April 30 (UPI) — A 19-year-old accused of leading Missouri police on a high-speed highway chase allegedly said he was trying to dodge arrest so he wouldn’t miss prom.
Police said an officer patrolling Highway 61 Friday night spotted a sport utility vehicle bearing license plates registered to a different vehicle, and a computer check found the owner of the vehicle, Daniel Buck of O’Fallon, had his license revoked and had several active warrants for his arrest, the St. Louis Post Dispatch reported Monday.
The driver of the truck, who matched Buck’s description, sped up when he spotted police following him and drove onto another road while traveling at a top speed of 80 mph, police said.
Police said Buck drove through a front yard and nearly struck a utility pole before his truck was disabled with stop strips. He attempted to flee on foot but was caught by officers.
The suspect allegedly told police he fled because he knew he had nine warrants for failure to appear in court on various charges, and he did not want to go to jail because he was supposed to take his girlfriend to prom Saturday night.
It was unclear whether Buck was able to post $15,000 cash bond in time to attend the prom.
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