Chase ends when trooper rams suspect’s van

Monday, Dec. 22, 1997 | 10:49 a.m.

Patrol trooper Steve Harney said the chase began at 10:05 p.m. Sunday, about 17 miles south of Las Vegas.

A trooper attempted to pull over a driver of a van that was traveling north at more than 90 miles per hour.

The van's driver refused to pull over and exited at Russell Road. Harney said the vehicle ran four red lights as it proceeded down the Strip at slower speeds. It then made a U-turn at Flamingo Road, striking a cab in the process.

"When the van struck the cab, the patrol officer decided to pin him in," Harney said. "A second officer then slid his patrol car in and blocked the van from behind."

Harney said the driver took a swing at officers before he was subdued. He said the suspect carried no driver's license and no identification. The van carried Nevada license plates.

Harney said the suspect has been charged with driving under the influence, reckless driving, assault with a deadly weapon, and failure to yield.

The cab driver and the driver of the van suffered minor injuries, Harney said.

archive