BROOKINGS COUNTY — A man from Sioux Falls is facing multiple charges following a nighttime high-speed pursuit on June 8 that began near White and ended on the U.S. Highway 14 Bypass in Brookings.
Christian Hofer, 25, is facing charges related to traffic violations, drugs and weapons, according to a June 10 news release from the Brookings County Sheriff’s Office. Per his inmate listing in the Brookings County Detention Center, he is being held on suspicion of:
• Aggravated eluding.
• Speeding on other roadways 26 and up.
• Failure to obey a traffic control device (red light).
• Speeding on a state highway other than an interstate highway.
• Possession of drug paraphernalia in a moving vehicle.
• Marijuana possession, 2 ounces or less.
• Commit, or attempt to commit, a felony with a firearm.
• Reckless driving.
The incident began at 10:32 p.m. just southwest of White, at the intersection of state Highway 30 and 477th Avenue, when a deputy attempted to pull over Hofer.
“As the deputy tried to catch up to (Hofer’s) vehicle — a 2020 Ford Mustang GT — (he) accelerated, eventually pulling far enough ahead that the deputy lost sight of (him),” Assistant Sheriff Dave Biteler wrote in the release.
He added that, about six minutes later, another deputy going north on 471st Avenue near Brookings met Hofer heading southbound at high speed. The deputy’s radar indicated Hofer’s speed at over 140 mph.
“The deputy turned around on (Hofer) and witnessed (him) go through the red stoplight at 471st Avenue and U.S. Highway 14 and turn east onto the U.S. 14 Bypass,” Biteler wrote.
Hofer stopped near the bypass’s intersection with Stadium Road because the Mustang was running out of gas, per the release.
Hofer remained in the detention center as of late June 11 on a $10,000 cash bond, Biteler wrote, with a court appearance set for 9 a.m. on June 15 in front of Judge Bob Pesall at the Brookings County Courthouse.
Other responding agencies were the police departments from Brookings and South Dakota State University.
— Contact Mondell Keck at [email protected].
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