Russellville man gets three years for chase

A Russellville man has been sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to a charge in connection with a police pursuit in January 2016 in Jefferson City.

Michael Ruether, 28, was charged with resisting arrest. A charge of driving while revoked was dismissed.

The incident started around 700 W. Stadium Blvd., according to a Jefferson City Police Department probable cause statement.

An officer tried to pull Ruether over for accelerating through a roundabout intersection, causing his vehicle to fishtail.

Reuther fled from the officer and got up to a speed in excess of 80 mph on city streets, passing cars illegally and entering the oncoming lanes of traffic.

Reuther crashed his vehicle when he failed to make a right turn and went into a brick sign.

Reuther said he fled because he didn't have a driver's license. He has a prior criminal record for drug possession and theft.