SALT LAKE CITY – It was a close call for one UHP trooper Thursday morning during a chase as a suspect on the run rammed his car into a UHP motorcycle seconds after the trooper jumped out of the way.
Now two people are behind bars after police say they also rammed into several other vehicles.
Troopers said a couple in a Cadillac Seville were trying to get away from authorities after they were pulled over for a seat belt violation near 2300 South and I-15. They have identified 25-year-old Elliott Hanson as the main suspect. Police say he has an extensive criminal history and was wanted for breaking parole.
Authorities said they tried to box Hanson in, but he kept going.
"Once he got turned around we had a motor officer that was there that was able to see that this vehicle was coming at him and was able to jump off his motorcycle and get out of the way when his motorcycle got ran over," said Sgt. Todd Royce of UHP.
The pair drove farther, and then later bailed from the car and hopped on TRAX at the Triad Center and got off at 900 South.
That’s where officers caught the woman; the man continued to run but officers found him a short time later hiding in a shed nearby.
The trooper was not seriously injured.
"It's a dangerous job and sometimes we work on luck, and this time it was a combination of that and skill that took care of the situation," Royce said.
Troopers say Hanson will now be facing several charges, including at least three counts of aggravated assault against an officer.
