High-speed pursuit ends in rollover

A man was injured after being thrown from a vehicle during a rollover after leading Montana Highway Patrol and Havre Police officers on a pursuit.

“He was traveling 60 miles per hour through town,” said Trooper Chris Baker. “I turned around to follow him and stop him. He failed to stop.”

Frank Janshen, 45, of Athol, Idaho, reportedly stole a 1995 Chevrolet van from Havre Distributors and was traveling west on U.S. Highway 2 just before 10 p.m. Monday when Baker tried to stop him.

“As we were traveling westbound through town, he sped up to 80 miles per hour,” Baker said.

A Havre officer joined the pursuit and once the van topped the mall hill and began to go down the other side toward Walmart, the speeds reached 90 mph. Janshen then tried to make a left-hand turn just after Walmart and failed to negotiate it.

The van went into a ditch, rolled and ejected him. He sustained injuries and was taken to Northern Montana Hospital, where he was then life-flighted to Benefis Hospital of Great Falls.

Baker said he saw the man Tuesday.

“He wasn’t in great shape, but at that point, he was going to live,” he said.

Janshen has not been charged with anything due to his condition. A report will be sent to the county attorney, who will decide what action to take next.

Drugs or alcohol are suspected to be a factor in the incident.