By the time police apprehended a fleeing suspect on Tuesday night, the front left rim of his vehicle, above, was completely worn down.
Charges due in
ramming incidentThe Sheriff's Office says a
driver collided with a deputy's
car after an aborted chase
The Sheriff's Office plans to file charges against a man who led deputy sheriffs on a chase through the Salt Lake and airport areas Tuesday night, allegedly ramming an officer's car and hitting five other vehicles.
The suspect was found with a large amount of cash and crystal methamphetamine, sheriffs said.
The suspect, in his mid-40s, remained hospitalized and under guard yesterday, but Sheriff's Administrator John Souza said he plans to charge him with first-degree reckless endangering and possession of dangerous drugs.
According to the Sheriff's Office, the chase began shortly before 8 p.m. when a deputy sheriff spotted a man driving a car with one of its front tires missing at Waiwai Loop and Lagoon Drive.
As the deputy approached him, the suspect fled. The deputy followed but was instructed by his sergeant to break off the chase, Souza said. Witnesses told police they saw the car hit several vehicles.
Later, the car drove head-on into the deputy sheriff's vehicle at Ohohia and Koapaka streets, causing minor injuries to the deputy sheriff.
The suspect also allegedly ran several red lights and stop signs, according to a sheriff's official.
Souza defended the actions of the deputies and said the slow-speed chase was not in a residential community.
"The 30-mph chase was initially called off, but once a person commits a felony, we have to stop him," said Souza.
The car was riding on its rim, and sparks were flying, Souza said.
By the time the driver stopped the car, the one bare rim was completely worn down.
Souza said the car was not registered to the suspect, but he could not say whether it was stolen.
The suspect smashed cars at the bottom of Salt Lake Boulevard and Puuloa Road, where deputy sheriffs arrested him.
