Semi-truck driver arrested in Summit County after running deputy, other drivers off road during pursuit

Dustin Charles Cullom. Photo Courtesy: Summit County Sheriff's Office

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah, Dec. 16, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — A semi-truck driver was arrested after he allegedly ran a deputy and multiple other drivers off the road during a pursuit in Summit County.

A probable cause statement issued by Silver Summit’s 3rd District Court said Dustin Charles Cullom, 41, from Reno, is facing charges of third-degree felony aggravated assault, third-degree felony failure to respond to an officer’s signal to stop, class A misdemeanor reckless endangerment and class B misdemeanor reckless driving.

The probable cause statement said that Saturday afternoon, Summit County dispatch received five separate calls regarding a semi being driven recklessly in the Snyderville Basin area.

The truck was reported to be driving all over the road and to have run a stop sign, the statement said. The truck, described as a gray semi pulling a white trailer, was located near the intersection of Old Ranch Road and Trailside Drive.

The arresting officer wrote in the probable cause statement: “I pulled behind the semi, activated my overhead lights and the semi pulled to the right side of the road and stopped on Old Ranch Road. I exited my patrol vehicle and provided dispatch with the trailer plate information. As I was approaching the passenger side of the trailer the semi started to drive away. I returned to my patrol vehicle, activated my siren and began pursuing the semi.”

The semi then accelerated and ran the stop sign on Old Ranch Road and Highland Drive.

“I informed Summit County dispatch I was in pursuit of the semi,” the statement goes on. “The semi continued driving and straddled both lanes of traffic and drove into oncoming traffic numerous times forcing multiple drivers to pull off the road into the snow bank. The pursuit continued down Bitner Road and Rasmussen Road. The semi forced multiple vehicles to pull off the road to avoid being struck.”

The semi ran four stop signs and was “well over the speed limit,” the statement said.

The semi then entered Interstate 80 westbound at Jeremy Ranch, and swerved across all four lanes of traffic multiple times.

The arresting officer asked a deputy, who was driving behind him in the pursuit, to attempt to get in front of the semi, which was traveling approximately 30 miles per hour, and spike its tires.

“The deputy attempted to pass the semi in the number one lane,” the statement said. “While the deputy was passing the semi, the semi swerved towards the deputy’s vehicle nearly striking him and forcing him off the roadway.”

A short time later, the semi came to a stop near mile marker 140, and the driver was taken into custody.

Cullom was the only occupant in the vehicle. After being read his Miranda rights, Cullom informed the arresting officer he had seen the emergency lights and fled “because people would kill him, his family and me if he stopped.”

Cullom’s bail has been set at $12,630.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here