Sheriff: Car chase started after suspect stole gas
Deputies say a car chase that led to a crash shortly before midnight Thursday started after the suspect stole gas.
Two people were hospitalized in the crash, which forced Idaho Falls police to shut down the intersection at 17th Street and Holmes for a couple of hours. The intersection was reopened around 2 a.m. Friday.
The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office said the chase started when Brett Karinen, 19, drove a blue Dodge Intrepid from the Maverik on Ammon and Sunnyside roads at a high speed.
A clerk at Maverik later told police that Karinen had stolen $57.60 worth of gas.
As the car left the parking lot, it almost hit an unmarked sheriff’s vehicle, according to a news release.
The detective tried to make a traffic stop as the Intrepid sped away south on Ammon Road. Karinen turned west on 49th South. The detective discontinued the attempt to stop.
A patrol car was near the Intrepid at 49th South and Holmes as it turned north onto Holmes. The police lights were activated in an attempt to stop the car, but the Intrepid continued north on Holmes.
An Idaho Falls police officer placed a set of spike stripes in the road at Cranbrook and Holmes. The Intrepid drove over the spikes. Three of the four tires were affected.
When Karinen reached the intersection with 17th Street, he hit the passenger side of a car that was taking a left turn onto 17th Street, hurting the two occupants.
The two victims in the car, Britny Rolston and her daughter, Kennedy, were taken to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in serious condition. Britny and 13-year-old Kennedy were listed in fair condition later Friday morning.
Kortny Rolston, Britny’s sister, said Kennedy is out of surgery and has a pelvis fracture and cuts to her face. She also said Britny has a broken jaw, facial fractures and broken ribs.
Karinen and his passenger, Nathaniel Acosta, were also taken to the hospital, where they were treated and released.
Karinen is now at the Bonneville County Jail on a felony eluding charge.
