The Michigan State Police are seeking help to identify this ATV driver that fled from police during a traffic stop. (Courtesy photo)

By Journal Staff

ISHPEMING — The Michigan State Police Negaunee Post is requesting the public’s help with identifying the driver of an ATV who fled from a traffic stop.

The suspect was the driver of a black, racing-style four-wheeler ATV and fled from an attempted traffic stop on the evening of May 9 after recklessly endangering other motorists in Ishpeming. The suspect remains at large after fleeing a traffic stop attempted by a trooper.

While traveling westbound on Greenwood Street near Willow Street at approximately 5:40 p.m. on May 9, a trooper observed an ATV traveling eastbound at a high rate of speed, with the ATV passing a black Dodge Ram pickup truck which had been traveling eastbound ahead of it. The ATV passed the truck on the right shoulder at a high rate of speed within a few feet of the truck, causing dirt and rocks to be kicked up.

The trooper activated his patrol vehicle’s emergency lights and attempted to initiate a traffic stop due to the reckless operation of the ATV. The driver of the ATV was described as a white male wearing a black shirt, a blue motocross-style helmet, and no goggles. The trooper observed the driver look back at the fully marked patrol vehicle, then accelerate, and flee from the trooper.

Recognizing that the driver was intentionally fleeing, the trooper deactivated the patrol car’s emergency lights and did not pursue the ATV.

The trooper saw a male matching the subject’s description walking along the trail near North Washington Street a short time later. When the male subject noticed the patrol vehicle from a distance, he fled on foot into a wooded area, where he appeared to have hidden the ATV. The suspect then restarted the ATV and fled the scene again.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding the identity of the suspect or the whereabouts of the ATV is asked to contact the MSP Negaunee Post at 906-475-9922.