Police: Driver arrested following 45-mile pursuit on I-15 that ended near Cedar City

Scene of a traffic stop involving a blue Volkswagen Jetta on southbound I-15 near Summit, Iron County, Utah, Sept. 6, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

CEDAR CITY — A woman was arrested Tuesday after leading law enforcement officers on a vehicle pursuit that spanned 45 miles along Interstate 15 before ending a few miles north of Cedar City.

Scene of a traffic stop involving a blue Volkswagen Jetta on southbound I-15 near Summit, Iron County, Utah, Sept. 6, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

The chase, which ended shortly after 5:30 p.m., involved a blue Volkswagen Jetta driven by a woman with no other occupants.

Utah Highway Patrol Lt. Randy Riches said a UHP trooper initially attempted to pull over the driver for speeding on southbound I-15 at mile marker 117, a few miles north of Beaver.

“She failed to stop and a pursuit ensued,” Riches told Cedar City News. “Troopers were able to successfully deploy a tire deflation device near mile marker 72.”

Shortly thereafter, just south of the Summit exit at mile marker 71, the vehicle came to a stop on the right shoulder of the road, its front tires flattened.

No injuries were reported. The Jetta driver was evaluated by Gold Cross Ambulance personnel at the scene as a precaution, although she wasn’t transported to a medical facility.

The driver was later taken to Beaver County Jail for booking, Riches added.

“It is not known why she was fleeing,” Riches said. “However, she does have local warrants, but (they are) minor in nature.”

According to Beaver County Jail’s website, Christiane Dukes of Salt Lake City was booked on Tuesday evening on suspicion of reckless driving, speeding at more than 100 mph, failing to stop at command of police and driving on a suspended or revoked license. She also has two outstanding bench warrants, according to the bookings site.

In addition to multiple Utah Highway Patrol troopers, officers from Iron County Sheriff’s Office, Parowan Police Department and Enoch Police Department also responded to the incident. 

Southbound I-15 traffic near the Summit Exit was temporarily impacted while the incident was being investigated and the scene was cleared.

This report is based on preliminary statements from law enforcement officials and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

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