I-80 pursuit ends safely

What began as a routine traffic stop quickly turned into a dangerous pursuit according to a recent press release from the Wyoming Highway Patrol. 

On February 19, a Wyoming Highway Patrol Trooper attempted to stop a vehicle between Elk Mountain and Walcott on Interstate 80 for a traffic violation. While the driver of the vehicle initially stopped, he failed to identify himself to the trooper before fleeing.

As the vehicle was being pursued by the trooper, the driver of the car began firing rounds at pursuing law enforcement. The trooper returned fire but was unable to apprehend the suspect immediately. The pursuit continued west on the interstate before the vehicle exited the road west of Walcott Junction.

After the car crashed through a right-of-way fence, the driver abandoned the vehicle in an open field and began to flee on foot. The driver of the vehicle was apprehended a short time later without further incident.

Carbon County Sheriff’s Deputies assisted the Wyoming Highway Patrol in the incident with no injuries. The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation has been requested to assist in the investigation.

The investigation is ongoing and additional details will be released as they become available.