IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. (WZMQ) – Sergeant Peter Thelander of Kingsford Public Safety provided a vivid account during the trial of Lonna Vassar, who faced felony criminal charges related to a dangerous police chase that unfolded in August of last year. Vassar stood accused of two crimes stemming from the incident, which took place in the city of Kingsford.
The prosecution called 3 witnesses for the trial. Officer Ryan Menard, a Public Safety Officer of Kingsford Public Safety, Sergeant Peter Thelander of Kingsford Public Safety, and a man name Mr. Andrew Pollock, whose house was along the chase route, heard and saw the car during the chase, as well as provided video evidence of the chase from Mr. Pollock’s home security cameras.
“Officer Menard was on patrol in his police car around the post office in Kingsford, Michigan during this time on August 23rd, when he saw a vehicle driving fast near the intersection of Breitung and Carpenter. He then saw, right behind that vehicle, Sergeant Peter Thelander’s vehicle. When Sergeant Thelander testifies, he will explain to you that he too was on patrol that afternoon. He was stopped at the light on Breitung and Carpenter. And he will explain the direction he was facing as if he was going to go into Wisconsin. When the light turned green he will explain to you how another car, who we now know is Ms. Vassar’s car, came up on the turn lane quickly and turned left onto Breitung where the Pizza Oven Restaurant is located. He will tell you how he attempted to catch up with that vehicle. He will tell you how he turned his lights and sirens on following that vehicle. He will tell you how Ms. Vassar kept turning, and turning, and turning through neighborhoods during this chase. He will tell you how she went through stop signs. He will tell you how she sped by a park. And he will tell you how she finally stopped at a residence, and that is how he was able to make contact with her,” explained the prosecution to the jury.
The chase led police near the Kingsford Post Office and a nearby park, as well as through a residential area.
Testifying during the proceedings, Sergeant Thelander highlighted the intensity of the chase, stating, “The vehicle failed to stop for that stop sign and took a right-hand turn. Speeds were still over the posted speed limit from what I observed because I was trying to catch up. I couldn’t even obtain a vehicle description or license plate, just because of how fast the vehicle was going.”
Ultimately, Vassar was found guilty of reckless driving but was acquitted of fleeing and eluding in the 3rd degree.
