An Arizona man is now behind bars after a harrowing event where a Mohave County Sheriff's deputy was dragged by a vehicle and then led on a high-speed chase that ended in a rollover crash, officials said. Javier Garibay Jr., 31, allegedly attempted to evade arrest during a traffic stop on the night of March 9 near Highway 95 and Joy Lane, sparking a pursuit that turned dangerous fast, according to reports from FOX 10 Phoenix.
At approximately 9:30 p.m., deputies pulled over a red SUV which Garibay Jr. was driving, due to speeding and reckless movements through traffic. Garibay refused to comply when informed he would be arrested and instead, sped off with a deputy hanging to the vehicle for roughly 10 feet before freeing himself. "The deputy was able to remove his arm from the vehicle and alerted responding deputies of the fleeing vehicle," stated the Sheriff's Office, as FOX 10 Phoenix reported.
The deputy did not sustain any serious injuries in the incident, a stroke of luck in what could have turned into a dire outcome. Continuing the escape, Garibay's endeavor came to a crashing halt when he lost control of the SUV and overturned it, as indicated by 12 News.
After flipping his vehicle, Garibay did not surrender easily. Fleeing on foot into the desert, eventually, deputies managed to catch and arrest Garibay Jr. "Deputies later took Garibay into custody and is facing charges of unlawful flight, endangerment and aggravated assault against an officer," according to the account detailed by 12 News. A passenger in the vehicle with Garibay suffered minor injuries through the ordeal.
Now, Garibay Jr. is booked into jail as he awaits further proceedings, the list of charges including aggravated assault on an officer, resisting arrest, and endangerment hanging over him. This unlawful flight spells nothing but trouble for the accused, as he remains in custody, pondering the high cost of fleeing from law enforcement.
