Man arrested after pursuit near Primghar

Troy Petersen

PRIMGHAR—A 25-year-old Graettinger man faces numerous charges after leading a deputy on a high-speed chase near Primghar on Wednesday, May 24.

The arrest of Troy Dean Petersen stemmed from a report about 4:30 p.m. of a northbound 2011 Chevrolet Equinox being driven at a high rate of speed and traveling all over the road on Highway 59 south of Primghar, according to the O’Brien County Sheriff's Office.

A deputy located the SUV approaching him and almost crossing the centerline.

Petersen, the driver, abruptly turned east on 400th Street about a mile south of Primghar and accelerated at a high rate of speed.

The deputy activated his emergency lights and sirens, but Petersen continued on, reaching speeds as high as 85 mph on the gravel road, according to the incident report.

Petersen continued to drive in a reckless manner, forcing an oncoming Chevrolet pickup into the ditch and forcing a second vehicle to slow and nearly go into the ditch to avoid being hit.

While being pursued, Petersen threw multiple items of trash, backpacks, illegal narcotics and drug paraphernalia out the window of his vehicle that were later discovered.

He finally stopped at the Taft Avenue intersection after traveling about three miles on 400th Street.

Petersen had bloodshot/watery eyes, impaired balance and slurred speech and failed field sobriety tests.

He had a white substance in his nose and said he had snorted methamphetamine in the past, according to the incident report.

A drug recognition expert evaluated Petersen and determined he was under the influence of a central nervous stimulant.

Petersen initially gave a deputy his brother's name and three different birth dates, later stating he was scared and did not want to go to jail or have his parole officer find out.

A white crystalline substance that tested positive for methamphetamine; a rolled joint containing a green plant material that tested positive for marijuana; a magnetic box containing a baggy of more green plant material that tested positive for marijuana, several clonazepam pills, glass pipes, tubing and baggies; and a digital scale were found in his vehicle during a consent search.

Petersen was charged with first-offense operating while under the influence; second-offense possession of a controlled substance — methamphetamine; second-offense possession of a controlled substance — marijuana; unlawful possession of a prescription drug; possession of drug paraphernalia; eluding; reckless driving; speeding; providing false identification information; depositing or throwing litter on the highway; driving while barred; driving while his license was denied, suspended, canceled or revoked; and driving without required high-risk insurance.

Troy Petersen

The National Drug Helpline is available 24/7 at 844-289-0879 or visit https://drughelpline.org/.

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