Salt Lake City, UT – A 41-year-old man from Utah was arrested after allegedly leading officers from the Unified Police Department on a high-speed chase that ended with him ramming into multiple parked vehicles on Thursday night.
Officers Spot Stolen Vehicle in Midvale
According to the Unified Police Department, the chase began when officers in the area of 8300 South State Street identified a stolen vehicle believed to have been involved in an incident the night before.
Court documents revealed that the same suspect, identified as Joshua Michael Kunz, was involved in a prior altercation with an officer from the Salt Lake City Police Department on Wednesday night. During that encounter, Kunz allegedly assaulted the officer while resisting arrest.
At approximately 9:00 p.m. Thursday, officers located the truck Kunz was believed to be driving. It had pulled into the parking lot of a bar in Midvale. While authorities were attempting to monitor the vehicle from a distance, Kunz reportedly noticed the surveillance and sped away at a high rate of speed, initiating the pursuit.
High-Speed Pursuit Ends in Collision
Police deployed tire deflation devices in an attempt to stop the fleeing vehicle. Despite these measures, Kunz continued driving recklessly until the vehicle eventually crashed into several parked cars nearby.
“We’re lucky that no individuals were harmed in this incident,” said Sgt. Aymee Race, who confirmed that although the crash caused property damage, no injuries were reported.
Kunz himself did not suffer any serious injuries and was taken into custody shortly after the collision, as per the reports.
Suspect Facing Multiple Charges
Following his arrest, Joshua Michael Kunz, 41, was booked into custody on multiple felony charges, including:
- Receiving a stolen vehicle
- Failure to stop at the command of police
- Aggravated assault
Officials stated that Kunz is currently being held without bail as the investigation continues. Authorities are also reviewing his alleged involvement in the previous assault on a Salt Lake City police officer, which occurred one night prior to this latest chase.
Police Praise Swift Coordination
Law enforcement agencies credited the quick coordination between Unified Police officers and Salt Lake City Police for bringing the situation under control before anyone was injured.
Residents in the Midvale area expressed concern about the growing number of high-speed chases that endanger both drivers and pedestrians, urging authorities to take stricter measures against repeat offenders.
Officials said the successful use of tire deflation devices and immediate response from patrol units prevented the suspect from reaching more crowded areas during peak traffic hours.
Investigation Ongoing
The Unified Police Department confirmed that the case remains under investigation and additional charges could be filed pending further review of Wednesday’s alleged assault incident.
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