Deputy hurt and two cars damaged in Sunday chase

A Douglas County deputy received a minor injury, and two patrol vehicles were damaged on Sunday after officers responded to a report of a drunken driver in Gardnerville.

Deputies received a report the driver of a red Dodge pickup was under the influence at about 5:13 p.m.

According to Sheriff’s Sgt. Pat Brooks, the pickup was found and stopped in the Lampe Park parking lot, where deputies contacted Michael Clifford Stewart, 56.

While deputies began their investigation, Stewart started the pickup and drove down Waterloo Lane toward Centerville.

Brooks said the pickup turned left on Centerville with deputies in pursuit.

At the intersection of Centerville and Dresslerville Road, Stewart was stopped behind a mini-van when one of the deputies tried to pull up next to him and block him.

Stewart allegedly rammed the patrol vehicle alongside with his pickup and then another one behind him.

He managed to slip out of the box and drove west to Highway 88 where he was apprehended after he tried to make a U-turn, ramming a patrol vehicle a second time.

The pickup was blocked and Stewart was pulled from the vehicle and taken into custody, Brooks said.

Stewart was treated for any possible injuries, and then transported to the Minden Jail and booked for felony DUI, assault with a deadly weapon, felony eluding, expired registration and destruction of property. Stewart’s bail has been set at $121,436.