Police Arrest Man After "Low-Speed" Chase Across Island

A 71-year-old man was arrested on Monday after striking several police cruisers and another vehicle during a "low-speed" chase that stretched on for miles across the island.

The incident began around 9:00 a.m. when island residents spotted a pickup truck being pursued by multiple cruisers on several streets, including Hussey Farm Road, Cliff Road, Hummock Pond Road, and Madaket Road.

On Tuesday, Kevin D. Ryan, a resident of Bartlett Road, was arraigned in Nantucket District Court on numerous charges stemming from the police chase, including:

• assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (three counts)
• leaving the scene of property damage (two counts)
• reckless operation of a motor vehicle
• resisting arrest
• failure to stop for police
• failure to stop
• speeding
• a marked lanes violation
• driving with no inspection sticker
• operating a motor vehicle with a suspended or revoked registration
• operating an uninsured motor vehicle

Ryan had his bail set at $2,000 by District Court Judge James Sullivan and was ordered not to drive while the case is open. The Cape & Islands' District Court Attorney's Office sought $5,000 cash bail, citing concerns with Ryan's history of not appearing in court and a criminal record that dates back to the 1990s for crimes ranging from assault and battery to larceny. He previously served 21 days in jail on assault and battery charges.

Ryan was represented by Rob Moriarty, who said that while this is the most exciting thing to happen on the island since Christmas Stroll earlier this month, bail is intended to ensure people return to court, not to punish defendants. He said Ryan's registration wasn't renewed because he couldn't afford it, and that Ryan is "of extremely limited means." He added that his client was not going to skip court and would appear to face the charges before him.

"The last time he was in trouble, I was in high school," Moriarty said. "And I'm old."

Ryan was ordered to return to court December 22nd for a pretrial hearing.

"The Nantucket Police Department were in a low-speed pursuit this morning involving a pick-up truck and a single male operator," Nantucket Police Lt. Angus MacVicar told the Current in an email on Monday. "The fleeing vehicle hit several police cruisers and a vehicle in traffic before the operator stopped his vehicle. The 71-year-old male operator was arrested without further incident and will be charged with several criminal charges, many motor vehicle violations and property damage."

The video below was captured by island resident Jay Starr's Nest camera at his residence on Hussey Farm Road.

According to the police report, officers observed Ryan driving a pickup truck with an expired registration and inspection sticker. It led to a motor vehicle stop on Hummock Pond Road. Ryan eventually put his truck in drive and ignored several orders to put the vehicle back in park. 

Police told Ryan if he drove off, he would be arrested. Ryan then allegedly replied, "I'm going to leave," and drove away. This marked the beginning of what became a 30-minute police chase involving five cruisers while Ryan drove approximately 43 miles per hour in a 25 miles per hour speed zone.

Police claimed that Ryan crashed off the side of the road at the intersection of Bartlett Farm Road and then intentionally backed his vehicle into the front of a cruiser as a cop was initiating a felony stop. Ryan then continued fleeing and lost control of his vehicle again on Meadow View Drive - striking three mailboxes. Ryan then backed into a second cruiser and fled again. He struck a blue pickup truck at the intersection of Caton Circle as well as fencing and Christmas lights.

Ryan was ultimately arrested in the vicinity of 195 Eel Point Road after he crashed his truck. As police officers were attempting to take him into custody, Ryan allegedly resisted by refusing to release his arms from under himself.