A Mason City man who allegedly led law enforcement on a chase reaching speeds of more than 135 mph has been charged with a felony in Freeborn County District Court.

Nathan Ryan Carlson, 31, is charged with fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle and misdemeanor reckless driving.

Court documents state Carlson was charged after a Minnesota State Patrol trooper was parked at about 2 p.m. Dec. 8 on the east shoulder of U.S. Highway 65, south of Freeborn County Road 1, when he saw a black Chevrolet Impala traveling 88 mph in a 55 mph zone.

The Impala turned left onto County Road 1, court documents state, and Carlson allegedly threw items out the driver’s and passenger side windows and continued fleeing at speeds of more than 135 mph while heading west on Stateline Road.

The trooper was allegedly told to end the pursuit, and court documents state Carlson continued traveling at 135 mph until the vehicle slowed and turned south into Iowa on Dogwood Avenue. The trooper allegedly later found a beer bottle in the ditch where he saw Carlson throw items from the vehicle.

A Worth County deputy later stopped the vehicle. Carlson allegedly said, “he thought he would lose his license if he received another speeding citation,” court documents state.

He allegedly said the alcohol bottles were empty and his girlfriend uses them for crafts.

Carlson’s first appearance is scheduled for Jan. 17.

A mugshot for Carlson was not available as of press time.

 

See what happened last night in the PM report here.