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Officer-involved shooting, chase forces I-15 closure in Utah County

Posted at 7:06 PM, Dec 20, 2017
and last updated 2017-12-21 08:30:54-05

OREM, Utah — A police chase came to an end when a white pickup truck flew off I-15 and into a fence near Orem.  Utah County Sheriff's Office has yet to name the suspect, but did say he was a white male in his 30s.

According to Sgt. Spencer Cannon, Utah County Sheriff's Office, the incident began in Nephi, where the suspect was asking people for gas money in a gas station parking lot. At some point, he pulled out a gun and fired a shot, but police say he didn't appear to be aiming it at anybody. Then, he jumped in his car and took off.

After witnesses called police, deputies spotted his car on northbound I-15 near Springville and attempted to pull him over.

"During the course of trying to make that stop, the suspect fired shots at deputies and officers who were on scene there," Sgt. Cannon said. "Deputies and officers returned fire on the suspect and the suspect then took off again."

At some point during the exchange, police say a stray bullet hit an innocent driver who was passing by. They say the wound is non-life threatening.

The suspect is in custody and is being transferred to a nearby hospital for his own gunshot wound.