A late-night red-light run in east Phoenix turned into a quick freeway chase and a crash at a major interchange, ending with an 18-year-old in handcuffs and a gun recovered from a reportedly stolen car, according to state troopers.
Authorities said the teen driver was taken into custody along with a passenger after the vehicle crashed at the State Route 143 and Loop 202 interchange. Troopers reported finding a firearm inside the car. The driver suffered minor injuries and was booked into Maricopa County jail on multiple charges.
According to Arizona's Family, Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers said a highway patrol sergeant tried to pull over Braxton Abraham McKown, 18, near 48th Street and Broadway Road around 11:30 p.m. after he allegedly ran a red light. Instead of stopping, McKown reportedly drove onto State Route 143, then onto Loop 202, before crashing at the interchange. Troopers said they found a gun in the vehicle and detained both occupants at the scene.
Arizona's Family reports that McKown was booked on charges that include theft of means of transportation, unlawful flight from law enforcement and carrying a weapon during the commission of a felony. He also faces a misdemeanor DUI count, and his bond was set at $7,500.
Charges and penalties
The alleged offenses come with serious potential consequences under Arizona law. Theft of a vehicle is addressed in A.R.S. § 13-1814, while unlawful flight from a pursuing law-enforcement vehicle is covered by A.R.S. § 28-622.01. Both are felonies, and potential penalties depend on the circumstances of the case and any prior criminal history.
What troopers reported at the scene
Per Arizona's Family, troopers said McKown had minor injuries from the crash, and a firearm was recovered inside the vehicle. The passenger was also taken into custody. Authorities booked McKown into the county jail on the listed felonies, along with the misdemeanor DUI.
How DPS tries to limit dangerous pursuits
The Arizona Department of Public Safety has been trying to cut down on the risk that comes with high-speed chases by leaning on technology and tighter pursuit policies. As GovTech has reported, DPS has tested GPS "tagging" tools that let troopers remotely mark a fleeing vehicle and then track it from a safer distance. That kind of system can let officers pull back from a close pursuit while they coordinate a containment plan, instead of staying locked in a long, high-speed chase with sirens blazing.
The case is now moving into the Maricopa County court system. Upcoming filings, hearings and any plea developments should appear in public records. This story will be updated if prosecutors or DPS release significant new information.
