(La Porte County, IN) - A driver was allegedly impaired during a 50-mile high speed chase from Michigan City and through New Buffalo.

 

Casey Land, 41, is being held in the Berrien County Jail on multiple charges including Operating while Intoxicated after crashing into a roundabout in downtown Benton Harbor.

 

At about 8 p.m. on Friday, March 10th, Land stole a 2013 Ford Escape in the 700 block of Emily Street in Michigan City. A short time later, a LaPorte County Police officer on U.S 12 near Liberty Trail tried pulling him over for driving erratically but Land allegedly accelerated and refused to stop.

 

Police said the chase exceeding 100 miles per hour crossed into Michigan on U.S. 12 and while in New Buffalo veered down Barker Street then Michigan Street before continuing southbound on Whittaker Street and eastbound on Interstate 94.

 

About 15 miles later, police said Land turned onto Red Arrow Highway and continued at high speeds on Lake Street through downtown Bridgman.

 

The pursuit was on Shawnee Road near Baroda when the fleeing driver turned onto U.S. 31.

 

According to Michigan State Police, the suspect after stop sticks flattened at least two of his tires continued on for another three or four miles.  The chase ended when the flattened tires fell off the rims and his vehicle crashed at a roundabout at Main St. and Riverview Dr. near the Whirlpool Corporation.

 

Land drove off with the SUV after the owner started it up and left until the engine warmed up.

 

Land, of rural LaPorte, is also charged in Berrien County with four other counts including Possession of Stolen Property and Driving Without a Valid License.

 

Land will be held in Michigan until he answers to charges filed against him in that state.  He’ll then be returned to Indiana to face Auto Theft and other criminal allegations such as Resisting Law Enforcement.

 

According to court records, Land was sentenced in September to 34 days in the LaPorte County Jail for Possession of Marijuana.   He also served 282 days of incarceration in LaPorte County for Theft and Battery in 2016.