Police officer nearly struck after being charged by vehicle during pursuit in Rapid City

RAPID CITY, S.D. — A police officer was nearly struck by a charging vehicle during a pursuit in Rapid City on Sunday night. The pursuit ended after the driver drove off-road and became stuck in a snowbank.

Courtesy of the RCPD

Around 10:45 p.m. on Sunday, April 14, police attempted to stop a Chevy Blazer near North Maple Ave. because its rear license plate was not illuminated.

Instead of pulling over, the driver initiated a pursuit. The Blazer drove for several blocks and then circled back to the parking lot where police had initially tried to pull it over.

At this point, an officer began working to deploy spike strips at the exit of the parking lot. The Blazer then drove directly at the officer who had to run out of the way in order to avoid being hit.

The Blazer struck the spikes, but continued to drive and eventually turned into opposing traffic on Elk Vale Road. The pursuit was temporarily terminated for safety reasons, but was later re-engaged when police spotted the driver on southbound Elk Vale Road.

The driver turned into a parking lot on Knollwood Drive and then attempted to drive off-road and became stuck in a snowbank.

Officers commanded the suspect to exit the vehicle, but he refused. Authorities ended up having to break the Chevy Blazer’s window and pull the driver out.

He was identified as 31-year-old Joseph Hornbeck of Rapid City, and placed under arrest for aggravated assault on law enforcement, aggravated eluding, speeding, failure to obey a traffic signal, stop sign violation, driving on the wrong side of the road, driving under suspension, and a probation hold.