Police Chase Ends in Crash, Arrest on I-96 Near Lowell

A 19-year-old man is in custody after fleeing police this morning.

WZZM-13 reports that the chase began near the East Beltline and Cascade Road in Grand Rapids around 6:40 a.m.

The suspect was pulled over for driving a suspicious vehicle. The green pickup truck matched the description of vehicle which had been reported stolen from Montcalm County Tuesday night.

When approached by Michigan State Police, the suspect became combative and punched a trooper in the face. He then fled.

The chase continued on side roads through Kent County. Police say they continued pursuing the suspect because traffic was light due to the time of day, and because of the slow speed of the chase.

The pursuit ended when the suspect drove across a field near Morse Lake Avenue and attempted to get on I-96; He was stopped by a Kent County Sheriff's Department SUV.

The suspect faces charges of assaulting an officer and fleeing police.

A 16-year-old female passenger was found in the vehicle. Her relationship to the suspect is not known at this time.

Police are continuing their investigation.