WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah — A Unified Police Department officer suffered injury and perhaps a broken bone Wednesday as officers pursued a fugitive who was wanted for numerous felony warrants.
Roxeanne Vainuku, West Valley City Police Department, said the multi-agency pursuit of the fugitive began in West Valley City and headed south.
UPDATE: Click here for body camera footage of the chase
A press release from West Valley City PD states officers observing a home associated with a known fugitive saw Tyrell Cox leaving a residence near 3100 South 3200 West just before 8:30 p.m.
Cox, 31, had 13 felony warrants out for his arrest, and, given his history of fleeing from police, officers requested assistance from a Utah Highway Patrol helicopter to help track the man from above.
Cox began fleeing from police around 8:30 p.m., and the chase reached speeds of up to 70 and 80 mph. Police terminated the vehicle pursuit when the man reached SR 201, but continued to follow the man via helicopter.
Police were able to deploy spikes on the suspect vehicle’s tires in the area of 2100 South and Bangerter, but the man kept driving. The vehicle was moving erratically as the tires were gone and the car was riding on its rims.
As Cox continued to flee, he veered his vehicle toward a Unified PD officer who was trying to deploy spikes. Cox hit the officer, who suffered injuries not believed to be life threatening and that may include a broken bone.
Cox continued to flee, and a PIT maneuver was executed around 8:40 p.m. at about 3600 South 2700 West. Cox was arrested and booked into jail, where he faces charges of attempted aggravated murder, felony fleeing and reckless driving, according to the press release.
