(Updated w/additional details 1-p.m.)

Two Creston Police Department vehicles were damaged during a pursuit late Tuesday night. The Union County Sheriff’s Office says 28-year old Creston Police Officer Samuel Abell, of Johnston, activated his SUV’s lights and sirens in an attempt to initiate a traffic stop at around 11:17-p.m., Tuesday, after the driver of a 1999 Chevy Blazer failed to stop for a stop sign at the intersection of Jefferson and Sumner Streets, in Creston. The driver of the Blazer, 24-year old Casey Ray Welcher, of Creston, attempted to elude the officer by taking off at a high rate of speed. The pursuit went through the southwest side of Creston before eventually heading south on High and Dry road. Officers continued to pursue the SUV, which was traveling in excess of 95-miles per hour.

The SUV turned west onto 205th Street. By that time, a Police car driven 44-year old Creston Police Officer Eric Shawler, of Creston, was also in pursuit of the Blazer.

Casey Welcher (Photo courtesy Creston P-D)

The Blazer went out of control due to Welcher’s erratic driving and high speed. The vehicle partially entered the south ditch, where Welcher over-corrected, causing the SUV to shoot across 205th Street and enter the north ditch.

When the Blazer came out of the ditch and onto the shoulder, it traveled east on 205th, in the direction of both officers’ vehicles. Officer Abell swerved to miss the Blazer, but was unable to avoid a collision. The 2017 Ford Explorer he was driving was struck on the right rear, causing the Explorer to lose control and skid into the path of the 2013 Dodge Charger being driven by Officer Shawler, who was attempting to stop to also avoid a collision with the Blazer.

The Blazer hit the Explorer again and entered the north ditch, where it came to rest. Welcher tried to flee on foot, but was apprehended minutes later. No injuries were reported. The Police Department Explorer sustained $2,500 damage. The Charger sustained $8,000 damage, while the Blazer sustained disabling damage that amunted to $500.

Welcher was arrested for: Attempted Murder; Eluding; Criminal Mischief in the 1st degree; Driving While Barred, and OWI 3rd offense. He was also cited for Failure to provide proof of insurance, failure to obey stop and yield right right of way, signs, as well as for speeding. Welcher was being held on $100,000 cash bond only, in the Union County Jail.