Driver takes flight

Man fleeing police launches car off viaduct, lands in hospital

By DAVE CALDWELL, Staff Writer dcaldwell@minotdailynews.com
A Minot man was injured Sunday night in a car crash that occurred because he was fleeing from police.


Jared Gillespie, 39, was driving east on Burdick Expressway East around 10:40 p.m. when Officer Aaron Ottmar attempted to make a traffic stop. Police say Gillespie sped away from the officers toward the viaduct, running a red light and crashing into the rear end of a car being driven by Terry McCarty, 63, of Minot. The collision caused Gillespie to lose control of the older-model Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme he was driving, striking the wall of the viaduct and preceding up the concrete barrier and over the top.


The vehicle flipped into the alley behind the former Grog Shop on Valley Street, striking a dumpster and coming to rest on its top.


Police say Gillespie was ejected from the vehicle in the crash, suffering substantial injuries and being transported via ambulance to Trinity Hospital. A Trinity spokeswoman said Monday afternoon that Gillespie was in serious condition, but gave no other details.


McCarty was not injured and his vehicle sustained only minor damage. Gillespie’s vehicle, on the other hand, was demolished by the more than 15-foot plunge.


“I don’t think those cars are designed to do that,” said Sgt. Larry Haug of the Minot Police Department, noting he saw the vehicle in the city impound lot Monday. “That vehicle won’t be driven again.”


Haug noted, though, that cars are designed to protect people, and Gillespie’s survival was a true indicator of that.


Gillespie has been charged with driving under the influence, fleeing, reckless driving, driving under revocation and fictitious registration.


Sunday was not the first time, however, that Gillespie’s flight from police was noteworthy. A little more than a year ago he attempted to elude police by running into the Ward County Courthouse — where law enforcement personnel are on duty at all times right at the front door. Gillespie was captured in short order by court services officers, sheriff’s department personnel and police officers.