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Sam Penrod ReportingA dangerous high speed chase on I-15 was all caught on video. It shows how close a suspected bank robber came to causing a disaster.
The suspect is believed to have robbed a bank in Taylorsville yesterday morning. By noon he was spotted in Central Utah and led officers on a chase before finally shooting and killing himself.
The suspect led police on a chase for more than 100 miles, at speed of 120 miles per hour-- weaving in and out of traffic. To make matters worse, he shot at innocent motorists on the freeway, hitting two vehicles and narrowly missing those inside.
It illustrates the danger police officers can face in rural Utah every day.
When a Utah Highway Patrol trooper found the robbery suspect's car, the suspect immediately became aggressive. For more than an hour, the suspect led police up and down I-15 and then over a dirt road to the west side of Millard County.
Voice of Sheriff Robert Dekker, Millard County Sheriff: "Back up towards Scipio and then back down this route here, below Fillmore, Meadow and the Kanosh area."
Throughout the pursuit, both UHP troopers and Millard County deputies alternate as the lead vehicle in the pursuit, while other officers set up down the road.
Lt. Fred Swain, Utah Highway Patrol: "This is how they do business in Millard County. The troopers and deputies work together when a critical incident like this happens. Everybody joins together and cooperates."
The situation at one point became critical as the suspect, in an apparent effort to create a diversion, shot a 40 caliber handgun at two different citizens' vehicles, hitting both vehicles.
Bill Garff/Witness (courtesy KCSG): "Went through the window, went through the seat cushion and over and through the far side of the vehicle. Got lodged in the safety belt, comes out of the side of the vehicle."
The most stunning moment of the chase occurred as the suspect got off the off ramp at a very high speed, nearly colliding with a passenger car and a semi-truck, which for a moment blocked the trooper in the pursuit.
Lt. Fred Swain, Utah Highway Patrol: "We run into very dangerous people on the freeway regularly, and it can be a dangerous job. But we train for it and try to see the danger before it hits us and deal with it appropriately."
The suspect has still not been identified. He is from Oregon and authorities say he has a long criminal history, including several bank robbery convictions.
