PHOENIX — A 21-year-old man is behind bars after leading Department of Public Safety troopers on a chase on Valley freeways Tuesday night.
At around 9:50 p.m. troopers noticed a vehicle going southbound on I-17 near Bethany Home Road in Phoenix.
Authorities say a white Audi with no visible license plate passed them at a “high rate of speed.”
They first estimated the speed to be over 100 mph. DPS officials say they were able to get a digital speed reading on their dash-mounted radar of 125 mph, and were unable to keep up with the vehicle even with a police helicopter.
The driver, Palmer Donald Pruhs, then got off the freeway at I-10 and Warner was stopped at the light until the light turned green and the driver turned around and proceeded on to I-10 westbound.
Pruhs continued on I-10 to I-17 North and ultimately stopped at a Chevron gas station at I-17 and Carefree Highway.
Authorities then arrested Pruhs and described him as showing signs of mental health issues, and he stated he was unaware officers were trying to stop him. They say Pruhs admitted to knowingly drive at around 130 mph and he did not think he was breaking any laws.
DPS says Pruhs has been booked into Maricopa County Jail for aggressive driving, reckless driving and for unlawful flight from law enforcement.
