Man Nearly Hits Children During High-Speed Chase in Missoula
Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On October 16, 2022, at approximately 3:19 p.m., a Montana Highway Patrol trooper observed a white Audi A6 traveling northbound on Reserve Street at approximately 60 MPH in a 45 MPH zone. The driver was later identified as Aaron Harvey.
Harvey allegedly ran a red light at the intersection of Reserve and Union Pacific. The trooper noted that Harvey accelerated through that intersection and appeared to be fleeing from something. The trooper turned around, activated his lights and sirens, and attempted to catch up to Harvey.
Harvey made a rapid left-hand turn onto American Way and nearly caused a crash. Harvey entered the Mod Pizza parking lot and then proceeded back onto Reserve Street going southbound. At one point, Harvey drove in the oncoming lane of traffic.
The trooper pursued Harvey onto Great Northern Avenue and then into the parking lot of the Union Place Apartments. Harvey drove through the parking lot at approximately 25 MPH. He drove directly at a group of residents standing in the lot that included two children and three adults. The adults grabbed the children and pulled them out of the path of Harvey’s vehicle. One of the adults later stated that Harvey would have hit the children had they not been pulled away.
Harvey eventually stopped in the parking lot. He jumped out of his vehicle and fled from the trooper on foot. The trooper apprehended Harvey near Best Buy. During the arrest, the trooper noticed that Harvey was rigid and tense, consistent with drug-related impairment.
The trooper also learned that Harvey has active arrest warrants out of Illinois for possession of methamphetamine.
Harvey was transported to a local hospital. There, the trooper began a DUI investigation. According to court documents, Harvey stated he was not drinking but was taking Vicodin and Xanax.
The trooper seized Harvey’s vehicle and obtained a search warrant. Inside, he located a small baggie containing a white substance that tested presumptively positive for methamphetamine. In the process of executing the warrant, the trooper also located a Beretta handgun that was reported stolen out of Indiana.
Harvey is currently being charged with felony criminal endangerment, felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs, DUI first offense, and fleeing from a peace officer. On October 17, 2022, he made his initial appearance in Missoula Justice Court where his bail was set at $100,000.
The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.