WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah, Jan. 14, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — Tyler Allen Williams, the suspect wanted for a high-profile carjacking in Layton on Friday, led police on a high-speed chase through city streets Saturday night, crashing into another vehicle and then attempting another carjacking in his desperation to elude officers.
West Valley City Police pursued Williams at speeds as high as 90 mph. The chase began in the area of 6000 West and 2700 South and ended at 5600 West and 6200 South, when he crashed into another car. Police at the scene blocked traffic in all directions.
West Valley City Police Lt. Robert Hamilton said the incident began when someone called 911 about a suspicious male in their neighborhood. The man had pulled up to a woman, rolled down his window and offered to sell her a truck for $200, which the woman thought was “weird.” Hamilton said the man apparently had made the same statement to other neighbors.
When officers came into the area, they saw the vehicle leaving, recognized it as the vehicle that police had been trying to locate in connection with the carjacking out of Layton, and attempted to stop it.
“The vehicle immediately fled and the pursuit ensued,” Hamilton said. “As (Williams) was pulling out, he swerved in an attempt to hit an officer who was out on foot. He attempted to hit three other officers during the pursuit.”
The chase terminated when Williams crashed into a vehicle occupied by a mother and her two children — a teenage son and a 7-year-old. Hamilton said the youngest child was scared but not injured, and was taken to the hospital just to be checked out. The woman and the teen were trapped in the front seat and had to be extricated. They were also transported to the hospital with minor cuts and bruises, Hamilton said.
Williams was taken into custody after trying to hijack another vehicle after the accident. He was captured while running through a nearby parking lot. He also was taken to the hospital for evaluation.
Police say Williams, 26, carjacked a vehicle Friday morning that had small two children in it. A short while later, he dropped the 3-year-old and infant off in the C-A-L Ranch parking lot and again took off.
Police had been looking for him ever since.
Williams is facing charges of four counts of aggravated assault, fleeing, possession of a stolen vehicle, and possession of a controlled substance.
The Unified Police Department is in charge of the accident scene. West Valley City PD is handling the pursuit.
