37-Year-Old Troy Man in Critical Condition After Crashing Truck into Libby Home and Leading Police on Multi-State Pursuit

37-Year-Old Troy Man in Critical Condition After Crashing Truck into Libby Home

A shocking incident unfolded in Libby, Montana, on Saturday afternoon, as a 37-year-old Troy man caused havoc by crashing his truck into a residential home, dragging a stolen vehicle through town, and leading law enforcement on a pursuit across county lines. The suspect, identified as Caleb Covey, is currently in critical condition at a Coeur d’Alene hospital.

The chaos began at approximately 3:32 p.m., when Libby police officers responded to a report of a male suspect intentionally crashing his truck into a home on Dakota Avenue. After causing significant damage to the property, Covey proceeded to attach a tow strap to a parked vehicle and proceeded to drag it through the town. Along the way, he struck multiple vehicles, a residential fence, and even an electrical pole. The stolen vehicle eventually flipped onto its side, but that didn’t deter Covey, who continued dragging it south on California Avenue.

Law enforcement attempted to stop Covey on California Avenue, near the intersection of U.S. Highway 2, but he refused to comply. Instead, he continued dragging the vehicle east on the highway, resulting in a slow-speed pursuit through town. At one point, Covey struck a truck with a snowplow attached, which had stopped in the road.

The pursuit continued until the tow strap broke off the stolen vehicle on Highway 2, at which point Covey changed direction and drove north on California Avenue, leaving the city limits of Libby. Officers from the Libby police and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, however, remained in pursuit and followed Covey west on Pipe Creek Road. The pursuit reached high speeds but was eventually terminated due to dangerous road conditions.

Undeterred, Covey turned back towards Libby, and the pursuit was reinitiated by deputies. Unfortunately, Covey crashed into another vehicle as he traveled west on Highway 2 toward Troy.

The pursuit continued west until the intersection of U.S. Highway 2 and Montana Highway 56, where Covey turned south toward Sanders County. Spike strips were deployed in an attempt to bring the chase to an end. Covey managed to evade capture until he crossed into Idaho on Highway 200 with deflating tires. Eventually, he was apprehended by Lincoln County deputies.

During the incident, Covey inflicted several self-inflicted wounds. Deputies rendered lifesaving medical aid before he was transferred to Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene via air ambulance.

Authorities are reminding motorists to yield to emergency lights and to avoid involving themselves in pursuits. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge in due course..