(Editor’s Note: The following article was submitted by the Big Lake PD).

On April 29 at approximately 9:37 p.m., Officer Tim Mikelson observed a Ford F150 swerve over the center line and back into its lane several times. Officer Mikelson activated his emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop. The vehicle turned onto Bermuda Ave. Officer Mikelson turned on his spotlight and pointed it at the driver’s side mirror. He observed the driver look in the direction of the patrol vehicle and proceed. 

The driver rolled through a stop sign. Officer Mikelson activated his siren and the vehicle continued. The driver drove to a cul-de-sac at Arctic Ave. The driver proceeded around the cul-de-sac and continued driving to another cul-de-sac. Office Reek arrived with stop sticks. The driver steered away from the officer and drove into the oncoming lane. The driver drove over the stop sticks and continued. The driver’s side tires of the vehicle began to lose air and the vehicle came to a stop at Arctic Circle. 

Officers secured the driver, Jason Sullivan, 44 of Big Lake and placed him under arrest. Sullivan stated he did not know the officer was trying to pull him over. Officer Mikelson observed Sullivan’s speech was slurred and smelled a strong odor of alcohol coming from him. Officer Mikelson observed signs of impairment during the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test. Sullivan refused to provide a Preliminary Breath Test sample. 

Officer Mikelson read Sullivan the Breath Test Advisory. Sullivan stated he would like to speak to his attorney but made no attempts at contacting an attorney. Sullivan stated he would not provide a breath sample until speaking to his attorney but still made no attempts at calling them. Sullivan was told he was considered to have refused the test. 

Sullivan was transported to the Sherburne County Jail where he was charged with; Felony Fleeing Peace Officer in a Motor Vehicle, Felony DWI Refuse to Submit to Chemical Test, Felony DWI Operate Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol, and Gross Misdemeanor Driving After Cancellation – Inimical to Public Safety.