By MICHAEL WARD
An unidentified driver led local police on a high-speed chase early Monday morning through three Utah County cities.
At approximately 4:00 a.m. Monday, American Fork police attempted to stop a vehicle for reckless driving, said American Fork Police dispatcher Debbie Hansen.
Hansen said once the car left American Fork boundaries, the American Fork officer stopped his chase. The driver sped off southbound and Pleasant Grove police pursued the suspect.
Lt. Mike Blackhurst, of the Pleasant Grove Police Department, said the driver showed no regard for others.
'He was pursued through Pleasant Grove at extremely high rates of speed, up to 100 miles per hour,' Blackhurst said.
Blackhurst said the suspect was pursued down Geneva Road to 1200 South in Orem. Pleasant Grove police lost the vehicle along Geneva Road, but Orem police picked up the chase and followed the car into an Orem subdivision.
Pleasant Grove Police Capt. Tom Paul said at that point, the suspect's vehicle hit a dead end, turned around and came straight at police cars. Paul said the police cars had to swerve out of the way to avoid getting hit by the oncoming vehicle.
The suspect got on State Street in Orem and drove north toward Lindon and Pleasant Grove. Paul said because of high speeds and dangerous driving by the suspect, all police officers were called off of the chase.
'Adding cops to the chase would have been dangerous,' Paul said.
Blackhurst said inadequate police vehicles also kept officers from pursuing. He said most Pleasant Grove police cars cannot maintain speeds of 90 miles per hour.
'For whatever reason, (the driver) was putting a lot of people's lives at risk, including his own,' Blackhurst said.
Paul, who was driving an unmarked police car, said the suspect sped past him heading northbound on State Street around 800 North in Orem, with no police cars in pursuit. He did not follow because his truck could not keep up with the suspect.
Pleasant Grove Police said the suspect was driving a black car, possibly a Dodge Shadow, with no license plate. The driver is reportedly in his early twenties and was alone in the car.
The suspect is wanted by Pleasant Grove police for reckless driving and evading arrest.
Anyone who has seen the vehicle or has any information can contact Pleasant Grove Police at 785-3506.