SAULT STE. MARIE — A semi-truck driver was arrested Thursday after leading deputies on a pursuit through Chippewa County that forced vehicles off the road and ended with a roadblock at a major intersection.
Calls to Central Dispatch came in around 11:40 a.m. reporting a semi weaving across Mackinac Trail south of Sault Ste. Marie. Deputies located the truck near Mackinac Trail and M-28, but the driver refused to stop while heading eastbound.
The pursuit continued through the intersection of M-28 and M-129 before the driver continued onto 9-Mile Road. Deputies ended the six-mile chase by blocking the intersection of Riverside Drive and 9-Mile Road, forcing the semi to brake to a stop.
Sault Tribe Police, U.S. Border Patrol and Michigan State Police assisted in the pursuit.
Chippewa County Sheriff Mike Bitnar said such incidents are uncommon.
“The amount of force behind a semi, at any speed, you get hit by a semi, it’s going to be pretty tragic,” Bitnar said. “It worked out really well. Getting out in front of him and clearing intersections was pretty key.”
Authorities identified the driver as Travis Peake. He was arrested on charges of operating under the influence of a controlled substance, fleeing and eluding, and reckless driving. He was lodged in the Chippewa County Jail. A warrant was issued to search the semi.