Michigan man facing a number of charges after leading police on tractor chase while drunk

CHEBOYGAN, Mich., June 26 (UPI) -- A Michigan man is facing a multitude of charges after allegedly leading police on a low-speed chase while he was drunkenly driving his tractor.

"A local gas station reported he bought a beer and left consuming it and got on the tractor and drove away," Kurt Jones, director of public safety told 9&10 News.

Cheboygan Police responded to a report of an intoxicated, shirtless man driving a tractor around town and found Joshua Viau. They attempted to pull him over, but Viau didn't stop and then allegedly tried to hit the patrol car with his tractor.

Viau then sped away, pulled a number of U-turns and attempted to hit the patrol car again. The suspect eventually hit the police car in its right front fender before flipping his tractor and tipping over in the street.

The 35-year-old then attempted to flee from officers before fighting with police and being tasered.

Viau was charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, one count of resisting and obstructing police officers, one count of fleeing and eluding police, and one count of operating while intoxicated.

"Just standing up driving down the middle of state in the center lane. I never saw a guy drive a tractor around like that before! Looked like he was having a good time up and down the road," said witness Jerry Mulka.