A 40 year old Brainerd man is facing seven charges, including two felonies, after leading Baxter police on a 14 mile high speed chase early Thursday morning, January 14, 2016.
Baxter police spotted a suspicious vehicle turning at about 3 a.m. Thursday morning, turning around at a dead end on Maryland Road off Forestview Drive.
After following the vehicle, a Baxter police officer initiated a traffic stop when the driver failed to signal 100 feet prior to making a left turn on Highland Scenic Road. The officer activated emergency lights and attempted to pull the vehicle over as it turned south on Highway 371.
Torrey Robert Winger, age 40, slowed down and pulled to the right shoulder before accelerating and proceeding south on the highway reaching speeds of 120 mph, "despite road conditions that were slippery in spots with patchy ice."
The officer pursued Winger for 14 miles to Morrison County Road 49, when Winger attempted a left turn before sliding into a snowbank and going into the ditch. Service revolver drawn, the officer approached Winger and was able to place him under arrest.
The Baxter officer searched Winger's vehicle and located three hypodermic needles in the driver's side door along with a clear plastic straw containing a white residue in the center console. The needles tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine.
Winger was charged Friday, the 15th in Crow Wing County District Court with felony fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, felony fifth-degree possession of drugs, gross misdemeanor driving after cancellation-inimical to public safety, misdemeanor no proof of insurance, misdemeanor reckless driving, misdemeanor possession of hypodermic needles and petty misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.
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