This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A suspected drunken driver led Salt Lake City International Airport police on a chase early Monday morning that ended when he crashed through fencing and onto the tarmac and was finally caught as he tried to flee on foot.
The 39-year-old California man was treated for minor injuries at the hospital and then booked into the Salt Lake County Jail. He was being held without bail on suspicion of third-degree felony fleeing police with property damage, as well as numerous misdemeanors including driving on a suspended license and having an open container of alcohol inside his vehicle.
A probable cause statement notes that about 3 a.m. Monday, an airport officer saw the suspect vehicle first going west toward Gate 48, where he made a U-turn and headed east. At that point, the officer noticed the rear bumper was dragging on the pavement, and pulled the suspect over.
The man told the officer he was looking for a place to change a flat tire. The officer returned to his cruiser to run the suspect's name and learned of the alcohol-related license suspension. Backup officers arrived, but when the suspect was ordered to turn off his car and hand over the keys, he sped away.
During the ensuing chase, the suspect vehicle ran through two fences and onto the tarmac before coming to a stop. The suspect then bolted, eventually trying to hide in a shed near Wingpointe Golf Course. Officers found him, and after a struggle subdued and arrested him.
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