MILLARD COUNTY, Utah, Dec. 25, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — Two people were arrested Sunday after leading deputies on a chase through Millard and Beaver counties on snow-packed Interstate 15.
According to a news release from the Millard County Sheriff’s Office, at about 7:25 a.m. Sunday, a sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop a Toyota truck pulling a small single-axle trailer heading south on I-15.
The Toyota truck had nearly struck the deputy’s patrol vehicle when passing near mile 158. The truck was going in excess of 75 mph on roads that were snow-packed, the release states, and “the trailer was fish-tailing back and forth in a dangerous manner.”
The driver refused to pull over and continued southbound on I-15, at times driving well above the posted speed limits on the slick, snow-covered road. He also passed several vehicles on the right by driving down the emergency lane.
The pursuit continued into Beaver County, where units from the Beaver County Sheriff’s Office and the Utah Highway Patrol took over the chase.
Near mile 15 in Beaver County, a UHP trooper used a PIT maneuver to stop the truck by causing it to slide off the road and become stuck in the snow.
A female passenger got out of the truck and was taken into custody. She was found to have multiple warrants out for her arrest and was charged with several additional charges, according to the news release.
The male driver refused to come out of the vehicle, so Beaver County Swat responded and shot a pepper ball round into the truck. The driver got out and was taken into custody without further incident.
Interstate 15 was shut down in both directions between the Cove Fort and Manderfield areas during much of the incident, the release states. There were no injuries.
Michael Looser, 33, of West Valley City, was identified as the driver and owner of the truck and trailer. Looser was arrested for reckless driving, evading, open container, driving on a revoked driver license, failure to have an ignition interlock device, unsafe lane travel, and speed too fast for conditions.
Victoria Wood, 30, of Midvale, was the only passenger. She was arrested for five outstanding warrants, possession of a controlled substance (marijuana) within a correctional facility, and possession of paraphernalia.
Both suspects were transported to Fillmore and booked into the Millard County Jail.
