Man flees from police, hits oncoming vehicle, police say


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HIGHLAND — A man was arrested Thursday afternoon after he fled from police and hit an oncoming car, police said.

An officer saw the driver of a Toyota FJ Cruiser commit a traffic violation around 10 a.m. near Highland Drive and Murray Holiday Road, according to Unified Police Department Lt. Justin Hoyal. The officer pulled behind the driver in an attempt to stop the car for the traffic violation, but the driver of the Toyota ran through a red light at the intersection, Hoyal said.

The officer pursued the Toyota, but the driver continued through the intersection of 4500 South and Highland Drive and hit the back of a red Nissan Murono, Hoyal said. The Nissan had made a right turn and was heading north on Highland Drive at the time of the accident. Hoyal said the collision caused the Nissan to veer off the side of the road into oncoming traffic where it stopped in front of an apartment complex.

The 33-year-old, female driver of the Nissan was transported to Intermountain Health Center in serious condition. A 9-year-old passenger in the vehicle was transported to Primary Children’s Hospital in fair condition.

The driver of the Toyota continued driving north after the accident and hit a pole, Hoyal said. The man got out of the car and began fleeing on foot. Officers pursued him and eventually located the man. Hoyal said the man, identified as 27-year-old Chad Burdick, was non-compliant and officers tased him before taking him into custody.

Burdick had a 23-year-old female passenger in the Toyota who was not injured in the accident. Hoyal said she was not facing charges.

Upon further investigation, police discovered the Toyota had been stolen from Provo. Burdick was found in possession of methamphetamine and had multiple outstanding warrants for his arrest. He was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on suspicion of having a stolen vehicle, leaving the scene of an injury accident, possession of narcotics and fleeing from an officer.

“This certainly could have had a much more negative outcome,” Hoyal said. “Fortunately injuries aren’t severe as they could have been. It’s never good to run from the police. Any time an officer is trying to stop you, just pull over. Anybody could get hurt as a result of (running.)”

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Faith Heaton Jolley

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