UHP trooper and suspect injured during vehicle pursuit

OGDEN, Utah — A Utah Highway Patrol trooper and a suspect are recovering after a collision during a vehicle pursuit early Saturday morning.

According to a probable cause statement, 22-year-old Guillermo Velazquez was arrested after an attempted traffic stop where UHP troopers say he evaded them on I-15, going 101 mph. This was in a 70 mph zone, according to the probable cause statement.

At approximately 1:24 a.m., Velazquez attempted to flee officers. The statement says he drove several miles “exiting the freeway and re-entering the highway on the ramp.”

The pursuit eventually resulted in a crash between UHP trooper T. Lebaron and Velazquez. The statement says the crash was bad enough to injure both Lebaron and Velazquez. There were four occupants in Velazquez’s vehicle at this time. However, he was the only one with “injuries consistent with being unrestrained in the driver’s seat.”

Following this, Velazquez attempted to flee again, driving his black Chevrolet Impala in the opposite direction until it was no longer mechanically able.

“This was on the NB off ramp at 31st street in Ogden. He [trooper Lebaron] was transported to the hospital and was released a short time later. He is expected to make a full recovery,” said Sgt. Bishop.

Charges against Velazquez include felony failure to yield to officers signal to stop and five other misdemeanors include driving under the influence. Velazquez is currently in police custody.

Mark Jackson contributed to this story.

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