SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — A man was arrested on Saturday, Jan. 11, after speeding on southbound I-15, ignoring officers’ signals to stop, and saying he was “having fun,” according to arrest documents.
Tyler James Flynn, 25, was arrested on one count of reckless driving, a class B misdemeanor; one count of failure to respond to officers’ signal to stop, a third-degree felony; and one count of following another vehicle – closer than prudent or safe, an infraction.
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According to an affidavit of probable cause filed in Utah County, officers were notified of a southbound vehicle traveling on I-15 that was being pursued by Salt Lake County Troopers before 3 a.m. on Saturday.
The arresting officer was watching for the vehicle near the point of the mountain, and noticed a car that was traveling “extremely close to the vehicle in front of it,” causing the officer to be concerned that the driver would “potentially crash,” documents said.
The officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop by activating their emergency lights and siren, but Flynn reportedly ignored the officer and sped away, reaching speeds of more than 110 miles per hour. The officer pursued Flynn for several miles before the suspect exited at Orem Center Street.
Flynn was later spotted at a gas station, with his driver’s side door open. Flynn complied with officers’ commands at the gas station, and said he was driving from San Francisco to New York.
“Flynn was asked why he was so calm, due to the charges he was being charged with, Flynn made comments that he was having fun, and that he would see us again,” the affidavit reads. “His comments were extremely [bizarre] and not normal.”
After being taken into custody, Flynn “made more bizarre comments,” such as saying driving fast was keeping the road safe, and also mentioning the founding fathers, according to police.
Police said it was “unclear why he fled.” Flynn was transported to the Utah County Jail on the aforementioned charges.
Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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