A man was arrested on drug and driver’s license violations after a short police pursuit.

The pursuit began around 11;40 p.m. on Friday, April 19, when a Dowagiac police officer on patrol saw a vehicle parked suspiciously on E. Wayne St. near W. Railroad St.

The vehicle drove away as the officer approached and the officer began to follow the vehicle.

As the vehicle approached E. Prairie Ronde St., the driver attempted to make a turn, lost control and struck a utility pole disabling the vehicle. The officer took driver into custody.

Upon searching the driver, the officer located a pipe in his pocket which tested positive for meth. The driver was also found to not have a valid driver’s license. The driver also had a felony warrant for his arrest for assault with a dangerous weapon from a prior incident. Upon speaking with the driver, officers were advised that he had been smoking both meth and marijuana prior to driving the vehicle.

A passenger in the vehicle, a 22-year-old woman from Dowagiac, received minor injuries and was taken to Ascension/Borgess Lee Memorial Hospita where she was treated and released. The passenger was not charged.

Officers arrested the driver, a 19-year-old Dowagiac man, for fleeing and eluding, possession of meth, operating under the influence of drugs, no operators license, and the original felony warrant.