Man who tried to evade Buffalo County deputy crashes, faces drug charges

A 20-year-old Menomonie man was arrested Friday night, Oct. 2, after he crashed on State Highway 25 in western Buffalo County and police found drugs in his vehicle.

According to the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Department, deputy Brennan Porter attempted to execute a traffic stop on a vehicle headed northbound on Hwy. 25 in the Town of Maxville at approximately 7:40 p.m.

The driver of the vehicle, later identified as Michael Lynn Stewart of Menomonie, signaled right and allegedly attempted to evade Deputy Porter by heading eastbound on County Hwy. K. However, Stewart’s vehicle, a 1999 Buick Alero, failed to negotiate the turn and crashed on the northeast side of the intersection of Hwys. 25 and K.

Stewart and his passenger, 21-year-old Robert Lawrence Messier of Pepin, were trapped inside the car after it crashed.

Numerous agencies, including Mayo One Helicopter, were called to assist at the scene. Stewart and Messier were both transported by Durand Ambulance to the Chippewa Valley Hospital in Durand for non-life threatening injuries.

Upon further investigation, marijuana and other drug paraphernalia were discovered inside the vehicle.

Stewart was arrested for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of a restricted controlled substance. He also faces charges of possession of THC and drug paraphernalia.

Also assisting at the crash scene were the Nelson Fire Department and Alma Police Department.