Man arrested after doing donuts, hitting car head-on and fleeing, police say
Jun 13, 2025, 7:32 PM
FILE: Moab police
MOAB — A man was taken into custody in Moab Thursday after police said he drove recklessly, hit another car head-on and then fled the scene.
A probable cause statement for the incident said a 911 caller saw a black Ram 3500 doing donuts in a gas station parking lot on Main Street, “nearly hitting multiple other vehicles,” at approximately 9:30 p.m.
According to the statement, the caller followed the truck to another gas station to try and get the plates and tell police. The caller then recognized the driver as 36-year-old Patrick Bierschied II
“The (caller) then asked Patrick by name if he was ok. Patrick exited his vehicle and approached the (caller), placed both of his hands on the (caller)’s face and neck, then shoved (them),” the statement said.
Documents said Bierschied “performed another donut” then left, traveling south on U.S. 191. He then sped through a red light, police said, and when an officer tried to pull him over, he kept going.
When the truck reached the area of 830 South and Main Street, Bierschied veered into oncoming traffic and hit a car with five people in it, according to police. The driver was seriously injured, the statement said, and the four passengers were hurt as well, although the exact conditions of the occupants were not immediately known.
Bierschied continued to flee, the statement said, until he eventually drove into a ditch. A witness reportedly saw Bierschied get out of the truck and flee on foot. Officers eventually found him in the area of Main Street and Boulder Avenue; the statement said he was “combative and aggressive,” but he was eventually taken into custody.
Police documents said officers smelled alcohol on Bierschied. He was taken to the Grand County Jail, where police said he was “noncompliant,” and allegedly kicked two Moab police officers.
Bierschied is accused of five counts of negligently operating a motor vehicle resulting in injury, one being a felony; five counts of failing to remain at the scene of an accident, one being a felony; two felony counts for assault by a prisoner; and two misdemeanor counts of failing to stop for police. He’s also accused of misdemeanors for DUI, assault and public intoxication, as well as driving infractions.
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