Belgrade man accused of leading police on high-speed chase

A 19-year-old Belgrade resident fled police in a Mercedes Benz traveling at speeds of over 124 mph and running at least one vehicle off the road, according to allegations filed in court.

The man, Jordan Kyle Carver, was arrested following an investigation that began about 1:42 p.m. June 7. At that time, a city police officer reportedly saw a silver Mercedes sedan traveling 70 mph eastbound on East Frank Road. This was in an area with a posted speed limit of 35 mph, according to the officer’s affidavit.

"Prior to the vehicle passing my location I initiated my emergency traffic lights and began to perform a U turn to initiate a traffic stop,” the affidavit reads. “It should be noted at this time my emergency traffic lights had engaged my body worn camera as well as my in-car camera. The silver sedan upon seeing my emergency lights accelerated rapidly. I notified dispatch that I was in a vehicle pursuit.”

The Mercedes reportedly got on Alaska Frontage Road and accelerated west toward Jackrabbit Lane.

“Upon approaching the intersection, the vehicle drove around a vehicle into the intersection and turned north on Jackrabbit Lane,” the officer/affiant wrote. “It should be noted the light was red and northbound traffic had to come to a stop to avoid a collision with the sedan. The vehicle then accelerated to high speed again passing several vehicles in the process.”

As the Mercedes approached Jackrabbit Lane and Madison Avenue, it nearly struck the front of another vehicle that was traveling in the same direction, according to the affidavit. It’s alleged that the Mercedes entered the left turn lane and passed multiple vehicles at a high rate of speed.

“The vehicle then turned westbound on West Main Street and then north on Grogan/Spooner Road,” the officer wrote. “Near the intersection of Kathy Lane and Spooner, the vehicle entered the oncoming lane of travel and forced an oncoming vehicle off the road in the process. The vehicle ran the stop sign at Cruiser and continued northbound at 68 mph. The vehicle was pulling away from my patrol unit. I advised dispatch that there was no traffic in the area as the vehicle turned onto gravel roads.”

The Mercedes reached a speed of more than 124 mph on Dry Creek Road, passing Cactus Road and approaching the Gallatin River, the officer alleged.

“The vehicle maintained speeds in triple digits as it approached gravel road sections,” the officer wrote. “I gained distance on the suspect vehicle on the gravel portions, closing to approximately one quarter mile behind.”

Law enforcement deployed spike strips at Theisen Road and Duncan Road, but the Mercedes reportedly was able to maneuver around them and continued southbound on Dry Creek Road with moderate traffic present.

“The vehicle passed multiple vehicles in traffic and made unsafe passing maneuvers around other vehicles near Hamilton Road and Penwell [Bridge] Road,” the officer wrote. “The vehicle turned westbound on Cruiser [Lane] and then southbound on Jackrabbit [Lane], passing two more vehicles at approximately 55 mph. The vehicle turned westbound on 8th Street, then westbound on Main Street, northbound on 10th Street, westbound on [W] Park [Avenue], southbound on 11th Street, westbound on Biehl [Drive], northbound on 13th Street, and eastbound on Butler Creek [Avenue] at speeds of 45 to 50 mph.”

State troopers joined pursuit, and the Mercedes almost struck one of the MHP vehicles while turning onto Cheery Drive, according to the affidavit.

“From Cheery [Drive], the vehicle turned southbound on 13th Street,” the officer wrote. “I observed the vehicle nearly cause a head-on collision just south of the intersection. It should be noted that the vehicle also ran the stop sign at the intersection. The vehicle turned eastbound on Main Street and then northbound on 10th Street. At approximately 1407 hours, the vehicle stopped at 81 10th Street and the driver fled on foot from the vehicle.”

The police officer didn’t see which apartment the driver ran into.

“I provided a description of the suspect as a male in his twenties to thirties,” the officer wrote. “Multiple officers established a perimeter around the building.”

Someone was able to direct officers to the driver’s apartment, and two city police officers went there and commanded the occupants to come to the door, according to the affidavit.

Carver was arrested and was allegedly found to have a suspended driver’s license. The Mercedes reportedly lacked a valid Montana registration.

The officer advised Carver to be prosecuted on a felony charge of criminal endangerment punishable by as much as 10 years in prison and a $50,000 fine. The officer also requested prosecution on a felony charge of aggravated fleeing from a peace officer, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Carver has since been released on bond. This is a developing story, and more information, such as the bond amount, will be reported.