A Hutchinson man is facing several felony charges after a high-speed police pursuit in Winsted.
The incident occurred on Friday, May 15th. According to the criminal complaint, Department of Corrections agents assisted by officers with the Winsted Lester Prairie Police Department were attempting to locate 25-year-old Derek Alexander Skelton to perform a urine analysis. Skelton was observed driving erratically towards the Winsted City Hall and allegedly completed an illegal U-turn. When approached by authorities, Skelton made concerning comments. Once the officers confirmed that Skelton had an active probation warrant for his arrest, officers positioned their vehicles to block Skelton’s truck.
According to the report, when one of the officers approached on foot, Skelton allegedly reversed into one of the law enforcement vehicles and accelerated forward, striking another law enforcement vehicle. One of the officers was forced to take evasive action to avoid being struck. Skelton then fled at speeds of around 70 miles per hour in a 30 miles per hour zone, disregarding stop signs. During the pursuit, one of the officers observed Skelton discarding a powdery substance and other items out the driver’s side window.
Skelton eventually stopped his vehicle and was arrested. Skelton reportedly told officers that he had ingested a large amount of drugs and then began to show signs of a drug overdose, requiring immediate medical attention. A search of his vehicle uncovered suspected methamphetamine, prescription pill bottles containing illicit pills that later tested positive for methamphetamine, and other drug paraphernalia.
Skelton faces four felony charges: 2nd degree assault with a dangerous weapon, 5th degree drug possession, obstruction interfering with a peace officer, and fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, as well as a misdemeanor DWI charge. Bail was set at $10,000 with conditions, $100,000 non-cash bond with conditions, or cash bail or non-cash bond without conditions at $300,000.
