On Sunday, December 16th, members of Vernal City Police, the Uintah County Sheriff’s Office, and Bureau of Indian Affairs were involved in a high speed chase that ended in two arrests. It started when Vernal Police Officers responded to a report of a suspicious incident
around 5pm
in the Vernal area. After initial contact was made with two individuals inside the vehicle, the female driver began to drive away. The emergency lights were activated by the officer which stopped the vehicle which was found to have license plates from another make and model. As the officer approached the vehicle a second time drug paraphernalia was observed inside. The male passenger started to flee on foot and as the Officer tried to detain him the female driver fled the scene in the vehicle. “The initial Officer advised other responding officers that the vehicle was fleeing the scene. Another Officer immediately observed the vehicle and activated his emergency lights in an attempt to stop the fleeing vehicle.” The initial officer was able to take the male passenger into custody as the female driver fled west. “The pursuit lasted for some time and reached speeds of 120 MPH. It was determined early in the chase that the female had outstanding felony warrants, and that the vehicle was possibly stolen. The chase traveled west on SR 121 with the assistance of the Uintah County Sheriff’s Office and Bureau of Indian Affairs. Tire spikes were deployed in the Lapoint area, and the vehicle continued to flee with two flat tires. The pursuit terminated north of Eagle View Elementary where the female driver stopped in front of a residence. The female driver was taken safely into custody.” The male suspect was identified as 23-year-old Casper Poowegup and the female driver was identified as 35-year-old Dotsy Reed. Poowegup was booked for Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Fleeing from an Officer, and a warrant into the Uintah County Jail. During the investigation it was discovered that she was under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Reed was transported by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. She will be charged in Vernal’s 8th District Court with Evading, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Open Container, Reckless Driving, Operating a Vehicle on a Revoked License, No Ignition Interlock Device, and several traffic violations.
