Off-duty police officer nabs DUI suspect

A man driving a black Volkswagen Jetta was arrested after rolling his vehicle in Canyon View Park Sunday, Santa Clara, Utah, Aug. 14, 2016 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News

SANTA CLARA — A 25-year-old man suspected of driving under the influence was nabbed by an off-duty police officer when he tried to run away after crashing his vehicle.

Just after 7 p.m. Sunday officers were dispatched to the area of Canyon View Park in Santa Clara on a reported rollover, Santa Clara-Ivins Police Officer Chad Holt said.

Black Volkswagen Jetta after rollover and foot pursuit in Canyon View Park Sunday, Santa Clara, Utah, Aug. 14, 2016 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
A man driving a black Volkswagen Jetta was arrested after rolling his vehicle in Canyon View Park Sunday, Santa Clara, Utah, Aug. 14, 2016 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News

Upon arrival they found a damaged, black Volkswagen Jetta sitting in the middle of the park with an off-duty police officer holding the driver until on-duty police arrived.

Officers determined the man was driving westbound on Canyon View Drive, allegedly at a high rate of speed, and lost control of the vehicle as he approached a curve in the roadway, Holt said.

The car then struck a tree, tossing branches as it went over a curb and rolled over. As soon as the vehicle came to rest right side up in the middle of the park the man jumped out and started running, Holt said.

Minutes later the driver was apprehended by an off-duty Santa Clara-Ivins police officer who was in the area.

The driver was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence and other charges related to the crash, Holt said. The man was later transported to Purgatory Correctional Facility after officers obtained medical clearance.

Black Volkswagen Jetta on tow truck after rollover in Santa Clara Sunday evening, Santa Clara, Utah, Aug. 14, 2015 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
A black Volkswagen Jetta is towed after its driver was arrested following a rollover in Santa Clara Sunday evening, Santa Clara, Utah, Aug. 14, 2015 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News

The Volkswagen, which sustained extensive damage in the crash, was impounded and towed from the scene.

There was also significant damage to a tree and landscaping within Canyon View Park as a result of the impact and subsequent rollover.

Santa Clara-Ivins Police Department, Santa Clara Fire Department and Ivins City Ambulance responded to the scene.

This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement or other emergency responders 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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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2016, all rights reserved.

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5 Comments

  • ladybugavenger August 15, 2016 at 8:26 pm

    oh no! My heart goes out to the tree. I hope it recovers.

    • Jimmym August 16, 2016 at 6:25 am

      I wish people would just leaf it alone.

      • .... August 16, 2016 at 8:17 am

        Always gotta bark about sumptin eh ? LOL !

  • .... August 16, 2016 at 6:22 am

    The tree is all I’m concerned about. I hope no desert tortoise were endangered

  • Ron August 16, 2016 at 8:27 am

    #TREELIVESMATTER

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