Multi-Agency Highway Chase Ends Well

In the early morning hours of May 3rd, WHP troopers responded to a vehicle pursuit that was initiated by the Cheyenne Police Department. Troopers became involved with the pursuit around 2:45 a.m. on Pershing Boulevard as it headed west towards Interstate 25.

The vehicle, an older sedan, was exceeding speeds of 100 mph as it was being pursued by members of the Wyoming Highway Patrol, the Cheyenne Police Department and the Laramie County Sheriff's Department. WHP took over the pursuit at mile post 21 as the pursuit headed north on I-25.

At mile post 27, the car cut across the median and proceeded south back towards Cheyenne. The Cheyenne Police Department deployed a tire deflating device at mile post 18 and deflated the vehicle's front driver side tire. After the tire deflation, the driver, 43 year old Christopher A. Fernald of Cheyenne, Wyoming, intentionally crashed into the cable barrier at mile post 15 on I-25 south bringing the pursuit to an end.

Mr. Fernald was not hurt seriously, but was taken to Cheyenne Regional Medical Center for treatment. Mr. Fernald has been charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol, fleeing or attempting to elude police officers, operating a vehicle recklessly, exceeding the speed limit, failure to drive within a single lane, and driving without a seat belt.