ISP Make Arrest Eluding Police After Reports of a Reckless Driver on I-84 in Nampa and Meridian

IDAHO STATE POLICE NEWS RELEASE - generated by our News Release ListServer
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IDAHO STATE POLICE NEWS RELEASE
District 3 Patrol 700 S. Stratford Dr., Meridian 83642
(208) 846-7550
Fax (208) 846-7520

For Immediate Release: 03/03/2016 1:30 p.m.
Please direct questions to the District Office

MERIDIAN - On Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at approximately 4:44 p.m., Idaho State Police received a traffic complaint that a white Ford Ranger was driving recklessly on eastbound I-84 near milepost 22 in Canyon County. The driver of the pickup, who was later identified as Jonathan Edward Popelar, 23 of Lovepark, Illinois, was westbound, illegally turned around in the center median, almost striking several vehicles, and passed vehicles on the right where there was not a lane. The caller continued to follow Popelar as he passed a motorhome by going around it on the right shoulder.

A trooper located Popelar on eastbound I-84 near milepost 33 and attempted to make a traffic stop. Popelar continued to travel east at approximately 70 mph. At milepost 36, the trooper initiated a pursuit. As the vehicle headed toward the Meridian area other troopers positioned their patrol cars to slow traffic behind the pursuit for the safety of other drivers. At milepost 43, a trooper deployed a spike strip in lane 3 to attempt to stop the vehicle. Popelar slowed to approximately 40 mph and drove around the spikes onto the shoulder. At this time the trooper following Popelar initiated a PIT maneuver. Popelar's vehicle spun around, hit the concrete barrier in the middle of I-84 at milepost 43.5 and came to a stop. Popelar was taken into custody without resistance.

Popelar was booked into to the Ada County Jail and charged with misdemeanor eluding a peace officer, driving under the influence, and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Idaho State Police would like to thank the Meridian Police Department for their assistance and the motorists who reported Popelar's dangerous driving, as well as other motorists that yielded to troopers as they attempted to stop the vehicle.


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