Multicounty police chase ends in crash, arrest near state line

CHIKAMING TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — An Indiana man is in jail after leading police on a chase that ended in a crash near the Michigan-Indiana state line.

Around 5:15 a.m., officers in Berrien County were notified by dispatch that the driver of a gray Kia was wanted on multiple charges, including aggravated stalking, a conditional bond violation and fleeing from police. Officers in and near Holland had tried to stop the vehicle, but the driver took off.

Shortly after dispatch notified the officers, deputies with the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office took over chasing the vehicle from Covert Township police.

The sheriff’s office said the driver, 36-year-old Matthew Lee Mensch of Coatesville, Indiana, was speeding southbound on M-63 while ignoring traffic control devices and that he drove into oncoming traffic lanes.

Officers from Coloma Township used spike strips to try and stop the vehicle. The sheriff’s office said one tire was flattened, but the chase continued southbound through St. Joseph, Stevensville and Bridgman.

More spike strips were laid down, which flattened two more tires. The Kia then left the roadway and crashed in Chikaming Township.

The sheriff’s office said Mensch was arrested and checked by emergency medical teams l at the scene. He was then taken to Corewell Lakeland Hospital as part of the operating while intoxicated investigation. While on the way, he damaged the patrol vehicle while trying to assault the arresting deputy.

Mensch has since been released from the hospital and is being held in the Berrien County Jail on numerous charges from Berrien and Ottawa counties.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.