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WEBER COUNTY -- A driver accused of dragging a sheriff's deputy 50 feet in Ogden Canyon could soon face a laundry list of charges.
The Weber County Sheriff's Office booked Ryan Valencia, 23, into the Weber County Jail Saturday morning.
Investigators say he was stopped for speeding near the Alaskan Inn in Ogden Canyon around 6:30 a.m. When the deputy who stopped him asked him to turn off his engine, Valencia refused. The deputy then reached into the car to turn the keys, and that's when investigators say Valencia sped away with the deputy hanging on to the car.
The deputy was able to free himself about 50 feet down the road.
About 15 minutes later at the bottom of the North Ogden Divide, the sheriff's office says Valencia crashed into several police cars, lost control and ended up in a yard where he took off running.
"We heard a lot of screeching going down the pass, and they came down here and went over my lawn and took out my mailbox," said witness Chad Citte.
Deputies say they found methamphetamine and a handgun on Valencia when they finally caught up with him.
Valencia could be charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, possession of a firearm by a restricted person and possession of meth. Deputies say he could also face other charges.
The deputy who was dragged suffered road rash and an injured neck and back but was treated and released from McKay-Dee Hospital by Saturday afternoon.
E-mail: bbruce@ksl.com
