FAIRFIELD – Authorities in Fairfield arrested a man on Friday night after he was allegedly observed driving erratically in the Jefferson County Health Center parking lot before leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase.

According to the Fairfield Police Department, officers responded to the hospital at approximately 10:25 PM on August 21 following a report of a reckless driver. The caller reported observing a black Jeep being driven erratically through the parking lot and nearly striking a pedestrian.

Officers located the vehicle at the Casey’s on Libertyville Road and attempted to make contact with the driver. The driver reportedly entered the vehicle and quickly left the area. An officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop; however, the driver did not stop and fled westbound on Libertyville Road, committing multiple traffic violations in the process. Police say that during the pursuit, the vehicle reached speeds in excess of 90 MPH in a 45 MPH zone. The chase ended when the vehicle left the roadway and struck a mailbox on Kale Boulevard.

The driver was identified as 25-year-old Larry Boatright of Batavia. Boatright was taken into custody after this incident and transported to the Jefferson County Health Center for a medical evaluation, and after being medically cleared, he was taken to the Jefferson County Jail.

It was later determined that Boatright had multiple active arrest warrants from Jefferson and Van Buren County, including two warrants for 1st Degree Harassment, Stalking – Violation of a No Contact Order, and Failure to Appear – Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Boatright now faces additional charges of Eluding at Speeds 25 MPH or More Over the Speed Limit (aggravated misdemeanor) and Driving While Barred (aggravated misdemeanor).