What started as a routine traffic stop on U.S. 60 turned into a high-speed freeway sprint through the East Valley on Monday, with troopers saying a Phoenix man pushed his car to 121 mph before crashing out in Mesa.
Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers say 54-year-old Edward Zamora was first spotted in Tempe at roughly 110 mph on U.S. 60. When they tried to pull him over, they report he hit a top speed of 121 mph, weaving through traffic and nearly slamming into other vehicles before crashing in Mesa. Troopers say they found an open container in the car and noted the driver smelled of alcohol. A judge later set his bond at $10,000.
According to FOX 10 Phoenix, Zamora was booked on alleged counts that include unlawful flight from a law enforcement vehicle, endangerment, driving under the influence, reckless driving and criminal speeding. The outlet reports that an open container was recovered at the scene and that Maricopa County court officials set bond at $10,000.
How the Law Treats Fleeing and Impairment
Under Arizona law, drivers who willfully take off from a marked patrol car are not just looking at a nasty ticket. Unlawful flight from a pursuing law-enforcement vehicle is treated as a felony when the officer’s vehicle is properly marked, under A.R.S. § 28-622.01, as laid out in the Arizona Revised Statutes.
Driving under the influence is charged under A.R.S. § 28-1381, which lets prosecutors file a case if an officer believes a driver is impaired “to the slightest degree” or records a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher, according to Justia. Endangerment, another allegation in this case, is defined at A.R.S. § 13-1201 and applies when someone recklessly creates a substantial risk of imminent death or physical injury, per Justia.
Valley Freeways Under Pressure
East Valley freeways have seen more than their share of triple-digit drama this month. In a separate case earlier in June, troopers clocked a driver at more than 125 mph in another chase that tore across multiple cities. That earlier pursuit, described as a 125 mph tear across Phoenix, Mesa and Tempe, highlighted growing public-safety worries over high-speed runoffs.
Lawmakers at the Capitol have been eyeing tougher penalties for drivers who flee police. One bill that advanced in the Legislature this year would bump certain unlawful flight cases into higher felony classes when they are deemed especially dangerous, according to the Arizona Legislature.
Zamora remains in custody as the case moves through Maricopa County court, and formal arraignment dates have not yet been publicly posted, according to FOX 10 Phoenix. This story will be updated as court filings or official statements become available.
