Caught On Camera: 13-Minute, High-Speed Pursuit Through Tooele

TOOELE, Utah – Police arrested a man Wednesday morning accused of leading officers on an extended pursuit in and around the city.

Lt. Jeremy Hansen with the Tooele Police Department said an officer on patrol near Elton Park, east of 400 North and Broadway Street noticed what he described as a suspicious vehicle doing laps around the park close to 4:30 a.m.

“At the same time he was flipping around to go check on the vehicle, dispatch notified him that they’d received a call about the vehicle as well,” Hansen said.

As the officer pulled up to the car, Hansen said the driver began to back up and drove away as the officer turned on the lights of the cruiser.

The officer pursued the car as it weaved through town. At times, Hansen said speeds approached 80 mph.

“(The officer) could still see the taillights of that vehicle, but that vehicle was (traveling at) excessive speeds,” Hansen said.

Hansen said a deputy was able to get in position and spike the car’s tires near Pine Canyon Road and Droubay Road.

“As the officer got to the intersection of 1280 North Main Street, he noticed that the rims were just showering sparks off,” Hansen said. “The driver attempted to make a left-hand turn to go southbound on Main Street and crashed on the curb.”

Hansen said the officer arrested the driver, subsequently identified as Seven Wilson, 24, and booked him into jail on suspicion of reckless driving, evading and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Investigators said it was unclear why Wilson fled. Hansen said the car was not his, but a friend had allowed him to borrow it.

Hansen also said Wilson did not have any outstanding warrants and would likely have only received a citation if he stopped and complied when police approached.

“He was simply running to run,” Hansen said. “It’s sad but unfortunately there are some people who just flee because they’re intimidated, scared or think they have warrants and they actually don’t.”

Hansen said police were glad nobody was hurt during the 13-minute pursuit.

“Don’t flee from the police,” he said. “It could have ended a lot worse. We’re very grateful it didn’t. This one turned out OK.”