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VIDEO: DPS troopers chase man across L-202 in Phoenix

Posted at 4:50 AM, May 12, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-12 21:49:31-04

The Arizona Department of Public Safety is releasing more information about a man that ran across the Loop 202 in Phoenix early Friday morning after a traffic stop.

Troopers responded to the area on Loop 202 westbound near 40th Street around 3 a.m. When they arrived they spoke with J. Matthew Gramlich, 43, who said he was involved in an accident near 36th Street and allegedly admitted that he had marijuana.

As emergency responders arrived to the scene, the man darted into westbound traffic leading troopers on a foot-chase to prevent the suspect from harming himself or others on the road, a DPS spokesperson said.

Gramlich allegedly jumped a concrete barricade and ran into the eastbound lanes of traffic, officials said. The suspect eventually stopped running in an emergency lane but continued to be combative with troopers.

Gramlich attempted to run back into oncoming traffic and made threats to himself and other drivers during the incident, DPS said. The man was eventually detained and taken into custody after troopers used Tasers on him.

The suspect was taken to the hospital as a precaution and later released into DPS custody, officials said. He was charged with endangerment, obstruction of a highway and possession of marijuana.

Freeway cameras captured the incident. There were several close calls with vehicles passing on the freeway but no one appeared to suffer any serious injuries.

Stay with ABC15 News and abc15.com for the latest updates.