SALT LAKE COUNTY/UTAH COUNTY, Utah, Jan. 12, 2025 (Gephardt Daily) — A Texas man was arrested in the early hours of Saturday after he allegedly fled Utah Highway Patrol troopers in Salt Lake County, then was detained in Utah County.
The incident began before 2:45 a.m. when dispatch was alerted that troopers in Salt Lake County were pursuing a speeder traveling in close proximity to other drivers’ vehicles. The vehicle pursued was a silver Honda CRV with Texas plates.
“I informed dispatch that I located the vehicle and gave them the license plate (number),” say arrest documents for Tyler James Flynn, 25.
“I initiated a traffic stop around milepost 278 on I-15 southbound due to the vehicle driving too closely and for fleeing from Salt Lake Troopers. The vehicle did not yield when I activated my emergency lights, I then also activated my siren. The vehicle then sped up to speeds over 110 mph.”
The trooper pursued the Honda for several miles until it exited Interstate 15 in Orem. Two troopers searched the area until they spotted the vehicle at a 7-Eleven near Center Street and 1200 West, arrest documents say.
“The vehicle was pulled into a gas pump. The driver door was open and there was an occupant in the driver seat. I exited my vehicle and pointed my firearm at the suspect. I immediately started giving commands and the driver complied. The driver was placed under arrest.”
Flynn, alone in the vehicle, was identified by his New York state driver license.
Post Miranda, the trooper asked Flynn why he did not stop for law enforcement, and Flynn did not answer.
Flynn did say he was coming from San Francisco and going to New York. He stated that he had been living in Texas.
When he was informed of the charges, the documents say, he didn’t appear to be fazed, “and even appeared to smirk.”
“Flynn was asked why he was so calm, due to the charges he was being charged with, Flynn made comments that he was having fun, and that he would see us again. His comments were extremely bizarre and not normal.”
Divalproex, a medication used to treat seizures, was found in the car, and Flynn said the drug — prescribed to him in 2020 — was old and had been left in his car.
“I transported Flynn to the Utah County Jail. At the jail, Flynn made more bizarre comments about that he was driving fast to keep the road safe and other comments about the founding fathers. It is unclear why he fled but clearly intentionally fled when trying to be stopped, was driving recklessly and too closely to another vehicle.”
Flynn was jailed for investigation of:
- Failure to respond to officers signal to stop, a third-degree felony
- Reckless driving, a class B misdemeanor
- Following another vehicle closer than prudent/safe, an infraction
