CEDAR CITY – One man is now in custody and facing several charges after sending Cedar City police officers on a high-speed chase Friday morning that ended with the vehicle in a culvert near mile marker 62 on Interstate 15.
The pursuit began at approximately 6 a.m. when the suspect, Alex Patton, 27, allegedly stole a vehicle at the Providence Chevron located on Royal Hunte Drive in Cedar City. According to a news release from CCPD Public Information Officer Jimmy Roden, the owner of the vehicle left it unsecured and running when Patton entered the vehicle and took off.
“The victim observed the suspect fleeing and called the police,” Roden said.
Police located the vehicle moments later traveling north on I-15 and attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver allegedly kept going.
The driver then took officers on a wild, high-speed chase weaving through traffic and continuing to change directions north and south on I-15 by crossing the median.
During the pursuit, Patton reportedly crossed the median into oncoming freeway traffic, causing a significant risk to other vehicles on the roadway who were forced to pull over to avoid a crash, Roden said.
Patton also allegedly drove through the median narrowly missing an Iron County Sheriff’s Deputy preparing to assist officers.
Roden said the suspect traveled through a barbed wire fence and crashed into a cement flood control tunnel that runs underneath the freeway and frontage road.
The vehicle was disabled as a result of the crash and the driver then taken into custody.
Patton is currently being treated at Cedar City Hospital, Roden said, for what is believed to be significant drug impairment and for his injuries sustained during the crash. He is currently listed in serious condition.
After Patton is released from the hospital, he is facing several charges including theft of an automobile, reckless endangerment and evading the police, Roden said.
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Is he on meth?
Meth ! Hmmmm same crap we smoke’em peace pipe when we make’em plenty big heap pow wow in wigwam . Chief Squatting Bear home from hunt. Him say load’em pipe
Is meth legal on the reservations?
I hope his injuries were life threatening.
I hope your sickness is life threatening. you won’t be missed