Driver arrested after nearly hitting multiple officers investigating crash, police say

A man who police say drove into an area of Little Cottonwood Canyon that was closed by officers as they investigated a serious crash was arrested Sunday for investigation of multiple crimes.

A man who police say drove into an area of Little Cottonwood Canyon that was closed by officers as they investigated a serious crash was arrested Sunday for investigation of multiple crimes. (Viorel Margineanu, Shutterstock)


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LITTLE COTTONWOOD CANYON — A man was arrested Sunday after police say he nearly struck multiple officers already investigating a serious crash in Little Cottonwood Canyon.

Race Rybolt Rankin, 28, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of five counts of failing to stop at the command of police.

Sunday afternoon, Rankin was traveling down Little Cottonwood Canyon "at a high rate of speed," and had crossed the double yellow line to pass another vehicle, when he came up on a crash being investigated by Unified police, according to a police booking affidavit.

Rankin allegedly drove into a lane that was closed by police.

"The vehicle almost struck multiple officers that were in reflective traffic vests. Over five officers on scene attempted to get the vehicle to stop by waving their arms and yelling at the driver to stop," the affidavit states.

Rankin was pulled over by other officers after passing the crash scene. But police say he refused to give police his identity or get out of his car.

"Driver ... rolled up the window and refused to exit the vehicle. Officers noted a strong odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle and then later from the suspect/driver," the affidavit states. "Driver was removed from the vehicle by force and refused to comply with officers."

Rankin continued to resist officers as he was placed in the back of a patrol car and when he arrived at the jail, according to the affidavit.

He was also booked into jail for investigation of driving under the influence, having a gun in his car while under the influence of alcohol, interfering with an arresting officer, reckless driving, having an open container in his car and failing to observe a no-passing zone.

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Pat Reavy is a longtime police and courts reporter. He joined the KSL.com team in 2021, after many years of reporting at the Deseret News and KSL NewsRadio before that.

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