On Saturday, August 2nd at approximately 0745 hours, St. Louis County Deputies received a report of a check welfare for a male passed out in the driver’s seat of a vehicle parked near the railroad tracks on Johnson Rd east of Hwy 53 in the City of Cook. The male woke up and sped off while Cook Ambulance arrived on scene. 911 Dispatch received further reports of the vehicle driving recklessly afterwards.

The suspect vehicle was located southbound on Hwy 53 south of Cook. Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle which led to a pursuit. The vehicle continued southbound Hwy 53 for several miles where it turned around in the center median. The suspect vehicle struck another passenger vehicle causing minor damage while turning northbound onto Hwy 53. The vehicle continued at high speeds northbound Hwy 53 and back through the City of Cook. The driver stopped on his own and was taken into custody on Hwy 53 near Samuelson Rd north of Cook.

There were no injuries to the suspect, the public, or law enforcement. The suspect was a 17-year-old juvenile male who was arrested for fleeing in a motor vehicle, 4th degree DWI, speed, and open bottle. He was lodged at Arrowhead Regional Corrections in Duluth.

The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Cook Ambulance and First Responders, MN State Patrol, and Bois Fort Police Department.