A Melrose, Wisconsin, man pleaded not guilty Thursday afternoon in Freeborn County District Court to leading police on a chase earlier this month in Albert Lea.

Joshua Wade Shawley entered a provisional not guilty plea in front of District Court Judge Steven Schwab.

Shawley was arrested Feb. 2 after he allegedly fled from police in a car, starting from the intersection of Newton Avenue and Main Street west to near the intersection of Minnesota Highway 13 and U.S. Highway 69.

He was reportedly driving about 30 mph.

Shawley was transported to the hospital for an evaluation because his behavior was erratic and unpredictable, and he appeared to be hallucinating, according to court documents. His blood was reportedly drawn by hospital staff, and a suspected controlled substance was reportedly seized from the center console of his car.

A settlement conference is scheduled for May 5, with a jury trial July 26, if the matter hasn’t been resolved.

If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of three years and one day in prison and a $5,000 fine.