A California man is hospitalized in Colorado with injuries suffered when he stole a Nebraska State Patrol cruiser during a traffic stop early Sunday afternoon near Sidney and crashed it during a high speed chase.
29-year old Donte Ollie faces a variety of charges when he’s released.
The State Patrol says the incident began when a trooper stopped a westbound SUV on Interstate 80 after receiving reports it was passing vehicles on the shoulder and after clocking it himself at 92 mph. Ollie was a passenger in the SUV, which was driven by 28-year old Zakiya Rowe of Chicago.
A second trooper arrived to help with a search of the SUV and they found about a pound of marijuana, a large sum of cash, and a handgun. Rowe and Ollie were both placed under arrest, but as the troopers tried to secure Ollie, he got into one of the cruisers through the passenger door, climbed over the center console, and took off – nearly hitting one of the troopers.
The other trooper gave chase in the other cruiser and Ollie lost control of his when he tried to take an exit ramp too fast, The cruiser rolled several times and he was ejected. The trooper provided first aid and called for an ambulance that took Ollie to the Sidney hospital before he was flown to Colorado for further treatment.
Driver Rowe was arrested for possession of a concealed weapon, driving under suspension, possession of between and ounce and a pound of marijuana, and possession of money during a drug violation. She’s being held in the Cheyenne County Jail in Sidney.