02/14/2025
Dramatic Video - CAR CHASE LEADS TO EXPLOSION
On Wednesday around 4:00 pm, a Yavapai County Sheriff's Deputy attempted to make a traffic stop, but the driver fled and began driving recklessly. YCSO called Prescott PD for support as the suspect fled up Thumb Butte Road slowly.
The suspect eventually stopped and began pumping large amounts of propane out his driver-door window with a propane torch that he ignited. He fled again and turned onto Country Club Circle, where he rammed a Prescott PD patrol vehicle before heading down a dead-end road, where he stopped. A YCSO deputy parked in front of the suspect's vehicle, and other deputies and Prescott PD officers parked behind. The suspect then ignited one of the propane tanks, which quickly blew, igniting his vehicle.
After, several other tanks continued to blow up, and the fire began to spread. Deputies began to use verbal de-escalation techniques to get the suspect to crawl to the edge of the flames. The threat to law enforcement and the public began to grow as the flames spread closer to homes. The suspect ended up crawling away from the flames and deputies were able to take him into custody. Deputies evacuated nearby residences until the fire was controlled.
Great teamwork between YCSO and Prescott PD, to get a possibly very dangerous situation under control, without any law enforcement or members of the public getting hurt.
One YCSO patrol vehicle caught fire in the incident. The suspect was flown to a Phoenix-area hospital.
Prescott PD is handling the investigation.
