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TAYLORSVILLE -- A woman who drove through a police barricade and crashed into a suspect's car gets credit for helping police catch a wanted gang member.
Police think the woman just wasn't paying attention when she drove through their barricade and into the path of the vehicle they were chasing.
Members of the Metro Gang Unit spotted a documented member of the Vario Loco Town gang, Nathan Bickett, in the area of 900 East and 6400 South. Bickett had fled police four days ago and was wanted on a drug distribution warrant.
Bickett was in a stolen car and was wanted on a $15,000 warrant. When police attempted to stop Bickett, he fled and a chase ensued west and then north on I-215.
Lt. John Barker of the Unified Police Department said police tried to box him in at 4700 South and 2400 West but he spotted and avoided them, continuing eastward.
Next officers blocked off the intersection at 4700 South and Redwood Road, preparing for Bickett to drive right into them. But just as the vehicle approached the intersection, a woman drove through the barricade and right into the path the vehicle Bickett was driving.
The two cars collided, bringing everyone to a stop. The woman who drove through the barricade was not seriously injured.
Bickett and two passengers, a man and a woman, jumped from their vehicle and fled on foot. After a short pursuit, officers caught up to them.
Police say Bickett was the only one they were seeking, but all three people were arrested for fleeing from police. The female passenger also had several misdemeanor warrants.
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Written with contributions from Shara Park and Andrew Adams.
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