Pursuit ends in crash in SE OKC

A man is in custody after leading Choctaw police on a high-speed pursuit Wednesday morning that ended in Midwest City.

Choctaw Police Chief Kelly Marshall said she is thankful the chase occurred before the lunch rush and that no bystanders or officers were injured.

Around 11:30 a.m., Choctaw officers were working an unrelated scene when they noticed a driver behaving erratically near Southeast 29th Street and Meridian Avenue. When officers attempted to pull the driver over, he fled, Marshall said.

"It was about a four-mile pursuit, and speeds reached probably 80 to 90 miles per hour," Marshall said.

The chase ended near Southeast 29th Street and Westminster Road when the suspect crashed into a carport and two gas meters. Police identified the driver as Phillip Solinger.

Officers said Solinger refused to cooperate, prompting them to use a Taser. While the vehicle sustained significant damage, Solinger did not suffer serious injuries.

"He was wearing a seat belt and very lucky to be refusing medical help," Marshall said.

During the pursuit, officers reported that Solinger held a Bible out of the car window.

Authorities are working to notify the homeowner about the property damage. Solinger will be booked on complaints of eluding police, Marshall said.

Oklahoma Natural Gas confirmed that the damaged gas meters have since been repaired.