PHOENIX — Police have released the name of the suspect involved in a pursuit on I-17 Tuesday afternoon that ended at a gas station on Thunderbird Road.
Jesse Riggs, 34, was arrested and charged with unlawful flight, aggravated DUI, aggravated assault, and criminal damage after leading DPS troopers on a high-speed chase Tuesday afternoon.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety said it received calls just after 2 p.m. of a vehicle driving erratically on I-17 near Cordes Junction. DPS says 911 callers reported the vehicle was speeding, tailgating and making rude gestures.
A trooper first spotted the vehicle going 100 miles per hour south of Black Canyon City. The driver did not stop for the trooper, starting the pursuit. Watch video of the pursuit in the player above.
While heading toward the Valley, one trooper saw the driver drink what appeared to be an alcoholic beverage, according to a news release.
Once in the Phoenix metro area, a trooper was able to successfully use spike strips to destroy the vehicle's front two tires.
The pursuit slowed until the vehicle exited the interstate at Thunderbird Road. Once off I-17, it turned west and then entered a gas station parking lot.
Troopers boxed the vehicle in, and the driver got out and did push-ups before being taken into custody.
The incident remains under investigation.
