Sheriff’s Office: Man faces several charges after leading multi-county chase

COOPER COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man faces three charges after allegedly leading multiple law enforcement agencies on a chase in September.

Peter Greenwell, 54, was charged with resisting arrest and two counts of endangering highway workers.

A Cooper County Sheriff's Deputy was sent to westbound Interstate 70 -- near mile marker 108 -- for reports of a vehicle hitting signs in a construction zone and almost hitting workers.

A witness and construction worker had followed Greenwell, the driver. Greenwell's vehicle allegedly had a flat tire and was dragging part of a road sign. The deputy tried to get Greenwell to pull over near mile marker 89 and continued into Saline County.

Greenwell allegedly stuck his arm out the window and signaled for the deputy to pass him, according to the probable cause statement. He then started driving north on Highway 65.

Greenwell allegedly pulled over and got out of his vehicle. The deputy pulled out his gun and gave him instructions to go back to the vehicle and show his hands. Greenwell's left hand stayed inside the vehicle and was reaching down towards the seat. He then got back into the vehicle and sped off, causing the chase to continue, according to the statement.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol threw spikes in the road near Marshall in order to get the vehicle to stop. Greenwell turned into an empty Walmart parking lot and then went back north onto Highway 65. Greenwell was allegedly waving and giving a "thumbs up" hand signal to law enforcement officials.

His vehicle was going 5 miles per hour when it lost control and ended up in a ditch near Highway 240. Greenwell was held at gunpoint by Saline County Sheriff's deputies and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. A K-9 was used and Greenwell was arrested.

Greenwell was interviewed at Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall. He allegedly said the "end of the world" was coming and that a "world war" was about to start, which is why he needed to leave Columbia and go to another state. He allegedly said "everyone is running to Missouri to bury some guy," according to the probable cause statement.

A $25,000 cash bond was issued. Greenwell was not listed on the inmate roster for the Cooper County Jail or Saline County Jail on Thursday. The case is being prosecuted at the Cooper County Courthouse in Boonville.