COLRAIN — A Turners Falls man was apprehended by Colrain Police Thursday night after a pursuit ended when the fleeing party’s car blew its transmission and rolled into a hay field on Jacksonville Road.
Damien D. Vieu, 31, was arrested and charged with speeding, failure to stop for police, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, a marked lane violation, having no inspection sticker and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. He was arraigned in Greenfield District Court on Friday.
According to the police report written by Colrain Police Officer Heather Sonn, she and Officer James Hunkler were conducting stationary radar on Greenfield Road at Pine Hill Orchards at approximately 7:47 p.m. Thursday when they observed Vieu traveling at an excessive rate of speed. The officers activated their emergency lights and followed the vehicle.
Vieu continued to travel at a high rate of speed without showing an attempt to slow down or pull over, the police report states. The vehicle traveled down Colrain Mountain along Greenfield Road, a 30 mph zone, at speeds over 70 mph. At one point, Vieu had a near miss with another vehicle as it traveled through the intersection of Main Road, Greenfield Road and Jacksonville Road.
Continuing north, Vieu began to slow down and quickly pulled into a driveway without using a signal. According to the police report, the vehicle then rolled into a cleared hay field next to 58 Jacksonville Road.
Sonn and Hunkler handcuffed Vieu and searched him and the vehicle for weapons and drugs. A search of the vehicle discovered a large machete, small hunting knife, small folding knife, and part of a marijuana joint and glass pipe, according to the police report. These items were secured in an evidence bag and Vieu was taken to the Colrain Police Station for booking. The crashed vehicle was towed.
According to the police report, when asked why he was speeding and fled, Vieu said he was hurrying to help a friend who was leaving home after an argument, and fled because he was scared since he had no license and was speeding. Vieu also said he believed he blew his transmission while attempting to flee, and that is why he stopped.
While being taken to the Franklin County House of Correction in Greenfield to post bail of $440, police reported that Vieu mentioned he was surprised he had safely navigated the corners of Greenfield Road due to his speed and his vehicle’s condition.
Vieu will be back in court for a pretrial conference on Dec. 30.
Zack DeLuca can be reached at zdeluca@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 264.