KOTA Territory NewsVehicle fire in Box Elder leads to grass fire, multiple arrests

KOTA Territory News Team

Police arrest two men and ticket another following a vehicle fire early Sunday morning that led to a several-acre grass fire in Box Elder.

The call came in just after midnight of a car engulfed in flames in the area near Valley Village Mobile Court at 240 North Ellsworth Road.

Jeffery Meverden, 19, of Box Elder, told officers he and two friends, Michael Root, 22, and Frank Gott, 20, both of Box Elder, were driving in a field when their car got stuck.  They say as they tried to free the car, the grass below caught on fire.  Police say the three men tried to put the fire out but when they were unsuccessful they fled the scene.

Meverden was found walking away from the field, police said.  He was treated at Rapid City Regional Hospital for injuries.  Police arrested him on suspicion of driving under the influence. 

Root returned to the scene, but became aggressive with officers, police said.  Police arrested Root for disorderly conduct. 

Root and Meverden are being held at the Pennington County Jail.

Police found Gott at a home on nearby Spruce Drive after a homeowner reported a suspicious person knocking at the door.  Gott was barefoot and was found to have been drinking underage, police said.  Gott was cited and released, police said.

Police say the final determination of the cause and origin of the fire is still pending.

Box Elder Police and Fire responded along with units of the Pennington County Sheriff's Office, Rapid Valley Volunteer Fire Department, North Haines Volunteer Fire Department, Ellsworth Air Force Base Fire Department, and Rapid City Fire and Emergency Services.