A Cloquet man was charged with felony drunken driving and other counts this week in connection with a high-speed chase involving a stolen car.
Dale Harrison Bedell, 30, was arraigned Wednesday in Carlton County Court.
According to the complaint filed on the incident, Sgt. Fred Petite of the Carlton County Sheriff's Department reported a suspicious vehicle was being operated by a seemingly intoxicated male, later identified as Bedell, near Fond du Lac Gas and Grocery in west Cloquet. The license plate number of the Dodge Stratus was called in and it was found to be a vehicle stolen from West Duluth. Petite parked his squad car directly behind the vehicle in an attempt to contain it.
Bedell backed into Petite's squad car and then maneuvered the car out of the space, jumping over a small cement pillar and striking a support beam supporting the convenience store's overhang.
Bedell then sped away westbound on Big Lake Road with Petite in pursuit. Bedell was reportedly driving extremely recklessly and nearly hit several oncoming cars, losing control several times and almost striking a power pole. He then headed north on Brevator Road, where he failed to negotiate a turn at the corner of Belich Road and launched his vehicle into a swampy area filled with snow.
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At that point, Bedell attempted to run away from Petite, who was by then being assisted by several Fond du Lac Police officers on foot. Bedell was caught and subdued with the help of a Taser and later failed blood and physical tests for intoxication.
Subsequent investigation revealed Bedell had an alcohol-related driver's license revocation in 2001 and his driving privileges were canceled. His record also revealed four prior driving under the influence charges and/or convictions in Wisconsin, several within the past 10 years.
