Vehicle chase results in arrest
On Saturday, March 18, 2023, Idaho County Deputies were involved in an officer involved shooting during a pursuit.
An Idaho County Deputy attempted to
stop a grey pickup going 76 miles per hour in a posted 55 mile per hour
zone on Highway 162 near milepost 11. As the deputy attempted to catch
up to the vehicle, it continued at the same high rate of speed, and was
observed to be driving in the wrong lane. The deputy activated his
overhead lights and initiated a traffic stop. The vehicle slowed down
but did not stop until just before the stop sign at the intersection of
Old Highway 7 and Highway 162.
As the deputy was attempting to contact
the suspect, the suspect vehicle took off, continuing northbound on
Meadow Creek Road. The suspect vehicle stopped, turned around, causing
the deputy to turn around. This circle continued several times, with
the deputy getting out of and back into his vehicle, attempting to get
the driver to stop. The suspect’s pickup rammed the deputy’s patrol
vehicle several times, pushing it off the roadway and rendering it
inoperable. At this time, three other deputies in three separate patrol
vehicles had arrived.
The second deputy was parking his
patrol vehicle in front of the suspect vehicle, attempting to block the
suspect’s vehicle in, when the suspect vehicle took off driving,
ramming the second patrol vehicle. The second deputy was able to pull
out into a field, turn around and continue after the suspect vehicle.
At this time, the third and fourth deputies were behind and pursuing
the suspect vehicle.
At a residence on Meadow Creek Road,
the suspect vehicle rammed into a flatbed pickup, backed up, and rammed
into it a second time. The suspect vehicle then rammed into the corner
of the house near the garage, backed up and rammed it a second time.
The second deputy arrived and parked his patrol vehicle and went to the
house to check on the residents of the home.
The third and fourth deputies had
stopped and exited their patrol vehicles, attempting to get the driver
to stop and exit his vehicle, when the driver accelerated and rammed
the fourth deputy’s patrol vehicle, spinning it 180 degrees. At this
time, a deputy fired a single shot at the vehicle.
The suspect continued driving, again
ramming the second deputy’s parked patrol vehicle head on, which
rendered the suspect’s vehicle disabled.
Several other deputies arrived on
scene, including assistance from the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. The
suspect was taken into custody.
Justin Brannan, age 39, of Grangeville,
Idaho, was arrested for felony eluding, felony malicious injury to
property for striking three patrol vehicles and the residence on Meadow
Creek Road, felony aggravated battery on a law enforcement officers,
misdemeanor resisting and obstructing, and misdemeanor driving under
the influence of alcohol.
Sheriff Doug Ulmer believes in
transparency and has shared as many details as he can with the public
as to not interfere with the Idaho State Police’s investigation into
this incident.
No further comment will be made at this time.
Justin Brannan of
Grangeville was arrested for several felonies and misdemeanors after
leading Idaho and Lewis County deputies on a vehicle chase.
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