VERNAL, Utah, Dec. 19, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — Two people were arrested Saturday night and are facing multiple charges, including drug possession and outstanding felony warrants, after police responded to a report of a suspicious incident and the suspects decided to flee.
According to a news release from Vernal Police Department, the incident began at about 5 p.m., when police responded and made contact with two people inside a vehicle.
The female driver began to drive away, and the officer activated his lights and stopped the vehicle. The officer noted that the license plates didn’t match the make and model of the car.
In addition to the female driver, a male passenger was in the back seat, the news release said, and drug paraphernalia was visible near him.
The male passenger got out of the car and fled on foot, and when the officer tried to stop him, the female drove away.
Other officers were responding to the scene and were advised that the vehicle was fleeing. Another officer saw it and attempted to stop it.
In the meantime, the male passenger was taken into custody by the first officer.
As the woman continued fleeing westbound, she reached speeds of 120 miles per hour in what turned out to be a lengthy pursuit on State Route 121, the release states. Uintah County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Indian Affairs assisted in the police pursuit.
Officers deployed tire spikes in the Lapoint area, according to the new release, and the vehicle kept going with two flat tires.
The pursuit finally ended north of Eagle View Elementary School, where the female driver stopped in front of a residence and was taken into custody.
“It was determined early in the chase that the female had outstanding felony warrants, and that the vehicle was possibly stolen,” the release states.
Officials have identified the man as 23-year-old Casper Poowegup. He was booked into the Uintah County Jail for:
- Possession of methamphetamine
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Fleeing from an officer
- A warrant
“During the investigation the female driver was confirmed to be under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The female driver was transported by the Bureau of Indian Affairs to be criminally charged,” the release says.
She was identified as 35-year-old Dotsy Reed. Reed will be charged in Vernal’s 8th District Court with:
- Evading
- Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Open container
- Reckless driving
- Operating a vehicle on a revoked license
- No ignition interlock device
- Several traffic violations
