MOORHEAD - Police say a 25-year-old Moorhead man who was being stopped for not wearing his seat belt fled police by driving on the railroad tracks and was ultimately arrested on suspicion of drunken driving.
According to Lt. Joel Scharf:
When an officer attempted to stop the 2002 Ford Taurus at 14th Street and Main Avenue at 1:05 a.m. today, the driver turned onto the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad tracks between Main and Center avenues and drove east on the tracks for about 300 feet.
While on the tracks, the car struck a switching mechanism and control box, damaging it and activating the crossing signals at 14th Street. The extent of the damage was unknown, and a BNSF crew was called to the scene.
The driver managed to get his car off the tracks, but the car became stuck in snow. The driver got out and fled on foot and was taken into custody after a brief foot chase.
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Mitchell Jackson, who turned 25 today, was arrested on suspicion of second-degree DWI, fleeing in a motor vehicle, reckless driving, possession of drug paraphernalia and no seat belt.
Police also seized his vehicle in accordance with Minnesota's enhanced DWI laws. Mitchell's blood-alcohol content was allegedly greater than .20.
