Scottsdale police were about to arrest a suspect before he took off speeding into a collision, injuring five people.
Chandler police report that on May 23 they responded to a three vehicle crash near Kyrene and Ray Roads, in which five people were injured.
Witnesses reported that a car driven by 44-year-old Samuel Albert Wheaton was speeding and driving erratically, when it ran a red light striking a car and knocking it into a brick wall and a large tree. Wheaton's vehicle rolled over and slid on its roof while hitting another vehicle.
Police say five patients, including two children, and Wheaton were taken to the hospital and later released.
Police report that a reconstruction of the accident revealed Wheaton was traveling more than 85 miles per hour just before the collision.
Scottsdale police were investigating Wheaton regarding a shooting at a Scottsdale cemetery where he allegedly fired a shot at a building after threatening suicide. Scottsdale officers spotted Wheaton leaving a home in Maricopa. They believe he was under the influence at the time and followed him until he started driving erratically at high speeds.
Police backed away and used a car tracking system to keep tabs on Wheaton until they were told the car was involved in a collision.
Police say Wheaton was armed when he was removed from the car.
Wheaton is being held without bond on multiple charges of endangerment.
