Driver Arrested Following Dangerous Pursuit on Interstate 17
Phoenix – A motorist suspected of being impaired was arrested on July 19, 2016 by a motorcycle trooper with the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) and an off-duty deputy with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) following a dangerous pursuit on Interstate 17.
The pursuit began at about 7:24 a.m. when the AZDPS motorcycle trooper attempted to stop a Ford passenger vehicle for an HOV lane violation northbound on Interstate 17 near the Deer Valley Road off ramp. The Ford pulled to a stop and as the trooper got off of his motorcycle, the driver of the Ford, Vivian Roberts, 43, from Casa Grande, Ariz., drove away.The trooper then began pursuit of Roberts.
Roberts exited Interstate 17 at the Deer Valley off ramp and became stuck in traffic. The trooper stopped behind Robert’s vehicle and approached it on foot. Roberts, however, attempted to flee again by ramming the vehicle in front of her, and then throwing her vehicle into reverse. The trooper had to jump out of the way to avoid being struck by Roberts as she backed up and then turned around.
After turning around, Roberts drove up the Deer Valley off ramp in the wrong direction. The MCSO deputy attempted to block the ramp with his vehicle but Roberts drove around the deputy’s vehicle.
A civilian exiting Interstate 17 observed what was happening and placed his vehicle in front of Robert’s vehicle in an attempt to block her escape. Roberts struck the civilian’s vehicle which caused her to lose control and travel down a dirt embankment. After her vehicle came to a stop, she was taken into custody by the trooper and the sheriff’s deputy.
Roberts was transported to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries. After being released, she was booked into the Maricopa County Jail on multiple charges including aggravated assault, aggravated driving while under the influence, unlawful flight, an outstanding felony warrant and two outstanding misdemeanor warrants.
“The motorist arrested in this incident endangered numerous lives by driving impaired, and then fleeing from law enforcement. It was excellent police work and the brave intervention of a citizen that allowed this incident to conclude without anyone suffering serious injuries,” said Lt. Col. Dan Lugo, Assistant Director of the Highway Patrol Division at AZDPS.
