Updated: Minnesota man leads police on high-speed chase because he “wanted his freedom”

Tyler Miller of Alexandria, Minnesota Sept. 16, 2016 | Photo courtesy of Iron County Sheriff's Office, St. George / Cedar City News
Tyler Paul Miller of Alexandria, Minnesota, Sept. 16, 2016 | Booking photo courtesy Iron County Sheriff’s Office, St. George / Cedar City News

Updated 9/20/16 at 1:15 p.m. with dashcam footage (see above)

IRON COUNTY — A 25-year-old man led police on a high-speed chase Monday afternoon for what authorities said was for no apparent reason other than he “wanted his freedom.”

Iron County Sheriff’s Deputy Doug Twitchell arrested Tyler Paul Miller from Alexandria, Minnesota, once the chase ended and booked him into the Iron County Correctional Facility for felony evasion, a third-degree felony, and reckless driving, a Class B misdemeanor.

Witnesses called dispatch around 3:05 p.m., reporting a 2006 white Pontiac Grand Am driving in the emergency lane and weaving in and out of traffic at high speeds. At that time, the suspect was near milepost 75 traveling south on Interstate 15.

Twitchell, who was traveling north, first located the vehicle at milepost 62 and clocked it moving at about 100 miles per hour, Iron County Sheriff’s Lt. Del Schlosser said.

The deputy made a U-turn and caught up with the vehicle at milepost 60 at which time, he activated his lights and sirens. The suspect’s vehicle continued south.

Utah Highway Patrol Trooper Bambi Baie joined Twitchell in the pursuit at around milepost 53. Both officers continued south, traveling at speeds nearing 110 miles per hour, Schlosser said.

Sheriff’s deputies tried to deploy spikes at milepost 48 but due to the high speeds were not able to get them set up before the suspect passed authorities. Miller continued to milepost 43 where he finally came to a stop after running out of gas.

The Pontiac was found to be registered to Miller and a background check came up empty on any outstanding warrants in the suspect’s name. He was also clean of any alcohol or drugs, authorities said.

Without any apparent reason for the evasion, police asked Miller why he chose to run from them.

“He (Miller) said he just ‘wanted his freedom,’” Schlosser said. “The thing is, now he’s in jail on a felony evasion charge and if he would have just pulled over at the onset, he would have gotten a ticket for reckless driving and would have been on his way.”

Authorities took Miller to Cedar City Hospital before booking him into jail to be checked on a prior injury from a previous motor vehicle accident. Schlosser did not provide details of the injury but said Miller was given a medical clearance.

Bail was not yet set when this report was published.

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2 Comments

  • Jeannette September 21, 2016 at 12:42 am

    “Previous injury” was to “protect” the man’s privacy. He was taken to the hospital for medical clearance and …. a psych evaluation. What this man did isn’t in the realm of normalcy.

  • .... September 21, 2016 at 8:31 am

    Well if all he wants is his freedom. no problem he will get it when he gets out of prison !

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