After crashing a car and fleeing, police say he was found sleeping in a stranger’s bed

Police say the man who caused traffic delays on Interstate 84 on Tuesday after crashing and fleeing police was found sleeping in a child’s bed in Meridian.

Meridian Police arrested Daniel Leary, 28, of Rigby, after they were called to a home in 1900 block of Bentley Drive by the homeowners, who said Leary broke into the house.

The search for Leary initially began after police responded to a single-vehicle accident on westbound I-84 near the Locust Grove overpass, according to a police news release. While in route, officers were told the driver of the involved vehicle had fled the scene and was being chased by an off-duty reserve deputy from the Ada County Sheriff’s Office.

He ran toward the area of Bentley Drive and Torino in Meridian and entered a home. At about 4 p.m., police received a call from the homeowner.

“Meridian Police surrounded the house and hailed for the suspect with no response,” according to the news release. “They then made entry into the residence and cleared it floor by floor and room by room with a police K-9. The police K-9 found Leary in the bed and bit him on the upper left arm. Leary was then taken into custody by the officers on scene and transported to a local hospital to be evaluated for his injuries from the crash and the K-9 bite.”

The suspect is currently in the Ada County Jail after being booked on suspicion of misdemeanor delaying and obstructing a peace officer, unlawful entry, misdemeanor possession of prescription pills, felony possession of methamphetamine, and an outstanding felony warrant.