A Columbia man was arrested Tuesday after attempting to flee from police in a brief car chase that ended with the culprit hitting a tree.
Deputy Sheriff Aaron Rainwater saw Charles McFarland, 33, of Magnolia Drive, pull from Pleasant View Drive in the city limits and almost hit an oncoming car as he made a right turn.
Rainwater turned on his blue lights to pull over the 1989 blue Ford Mustang but the vehicle fled.
Rainwater said McFarland traveled onto Lowes Lane and College Park before turning onto Wright Drive. He lost control of the vehicle at 806 Wright Dr., traveled through a yard and struck a tree. The tree was knocked down, taking down electric lines.
McFarland was taken to Westlake Regional Hospital for minor facial injuries where he was treated and released. He was then arrested on charges of fleeing and evading police, motor vehicle, 1st degree; operating on a suspended license; reckless driving; no insurance, second offense; three counts of disregarding a stop sign; three counts of failure to signal; and failure to wear a seat belt.
He was lodged in the Adair County Regional Jail. The incident occurred around 3:14 p.m. Tuesday.