Cops: Meth fueled chase, commuter clog

A call about a wrong way driver on a busy highway turned into a wild ride for police and a major mess for commuters Friday evening.

New Mexico State Police report the driver of a car spotted on the wrong side of U.S. Highway 550 in Bernalillo refused to stop when they tried to pull him over at about 5:30 p.m.

He led them on a chase through town before crashing into a Santa Ana Pueblo Police unit, hitting another vehicle and then stalling his car, which led to his capture.

Police said the car was stolen from Albuquerque.

The driver, identified as Matthew Rodriguez, 23, told cops he was high on meth.

He is charged with reckless driving, possession of a stolen vehicle, resisting and evading an officer and driving under the influence, the latter charge because officers said he admitted he was high on meth.

U.S. 550, the only Rio Grande crossing linking Interstate 25 and northern Rio Rancho, was completely closed for a while after the crash creating a major backup for evening commuters.