Willmar police officer hurt in crash after chase with drunk driving suspect

A Willmar police officer was slightly injured after a chase with a suspect in a stolen car Tuesday afternoon that resulted in a crash.

According to a news release, at 2:51 p.m. an unnamed officer tried to stop an SUV with a stolen license plate on Lakeland Drive near Olena Avenue. The driver fled eastbound on County Road 23, then turned on 45th Street Southeast and headed north, throwing items out the window along the way and driving recklessly. The police officer decided to try a pit maneuver and spin the suspect car around before it reached the intersection with Highway 12. While performing the maneuver, the suspect car went into the ditch and the Willmar Police Ford Explorer left the road, hit a drainage channel, and the vehicle overturned. The officer was taken to the Carris Rice Emergency Room, treated and released. The suspect, 39-year-old Joshua Zenner of Willmar was arrested at the scene and faces charges including fleeing police in a motor vehicle, drug crimes, DUI and possession of stolen property.

Several agencies assisted including the MN State Patrol, Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office, CentraCare EMS, Willmar Fire Department, Kandiyohi County Rescue Squad, Kandiyohi Fire Department and First Responders.

(JP Cola, KWLM)