Fugitive rams Hudson Police car during high speed chase

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HUDSON -- A Hudson police officer narrowly missed being injured during a highspeed chase about 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 30 at Carmichael Road at Interstate 94 exit 2.

The incident began when Hudson police were called to assist a U.S. Marshall’s task force in arresting a wanted fugitive who was about to leave the Super 8 motel on Crest View Drive just before 9 a.m. The fugitive was accompanied by another man. The two left the motel area just as police arrived and were believed to be heading to I-94.

The U.S. Marshals Service named Ernest Donald Atchison, 29, as the fugitive and passenger of the vehicle. He was wanted on Ramsey County felony warrants including theft, robbery, fleeing police and probation violation.

Several police squads gave chase and attempted to stop the car on northbound Carmichael Road. With the fugitive in the passenger seat, the driver did not stop and rammed a Hudson police car, narrowly missing a Hudson police officer on the scene.

The car made its way onto westbound I-94 into Minnesota, reaching speeds of 100 miles per house according to reports, passing other cars on the shoulder. The car exited I94 onto I694. The driver then took the exit at Minnesota Highway 5 in Oakdale and stopped in the parking area of a nearby LA Fitness. Both men left the vehicle and took off on foot.

Atchison was arrested outside LA Fitness in Oakdale; the driver of the vehicle was arrested inside an LA Fitness locker room.

Both men were taken into custody without incident.

The marshals service said Ramsey County deputies had previously attempted to apprehend Atchison on Wednesday, but he fled officers in a vehicle. That also led to a high-speed chase that was ultimately called off for safety concerns.

Along with the Hudson Police Department, other agencies assisting in the incident were the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Department, the Minnesota State Patrol, Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, Washington County Sheriff’s Department, Oakdale police, the Minnesota Department of Conservation and the Wisconsin Department of Conservation.

Atchison was jailed in Ramsey County, where he was booked on the outstanding warrants. The driver was taken to Washington County jail, where charges were pending.

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