Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
HERRIMAN — Detectives say they found a substantial amount of meth and other drugs in the home of a man who crashed during a short chase with police Tuesday.
The incident started at Israel Peterson’s home, located at 12657 S. Toscana Way in Herriman at about 3:30 p.m., according to Unified police Lt. Justin Hoyal. He said the Metro Gang Unit and Unified police obtained information about drugs potentially being inside the home.
“(Detectives) were in the process of writing a search warrant for that home and holding surveillance on the home when the owner (Peterson) came out of the house and got into a red Chevy pickup truck, that was later determined to be a rental truck,” Hoyal said. “Detectives attempted to stop the vehicle when the driver initially pulled over to the side of the road, but (he) then took off from our officers.”
Peterson, 32, drove around his neighborhood multiple times before continuing onto Herriman Parkway at a high rate of speed, according to Hoyal. He said officers lost sight of Peterson briefly when he accelerated away.
“When they came around a bend they saw he ran into the back of a Ford Expedition that had just pulled out onto Herriman Parkway eastbound off of a subdivision,” he said. “Fortunately, the driver of that Expedition, a 19-year-old female, was uninjured. The suspect was taken to Riverton hospital with minor injuries.”
The crash occurred near 5200 W. Herriman Parkway, according to police.
Hoyal said the investigation is still ongoing, but officers found close to nine pounds of methamphetamine, one ounce of heroin, and small amounts of both marijuana and spice after obtaining a search warrant for Peterson’s home. Detectives seized close to $5,300 in cash, police said.
Once Peterson is released from the hospital, Hoyal said he will be booked for numerous charges including fleeing from officers and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
Police said Peterson is known to carry a firearm, but they have been unable to locate any firearms so far while searching his home and vehicle. Investigators believe Peterson may have thrown a firearm out of the car during the pursuit. Police advised anyone who finds a firearm in the area to avoid touching it and call UPD immediately at 801-743-7000.
