Staff Reports
GRAHAM COUNTY – On Thursday, Jan. 1, a routine traffic stop just outside Thatcher escalated into a dangerous high-speed pursuit that spanned multiple roadways, endangered innocent motorists, and highlighted the perils of reckless driving. The incident involved a 17-year-old juvenile who allegedly stole a family vehicle, led law enforcement on a chaotic chase, and boasted about her evasion on social media — only to crash later. The following day, a court hearing in Graham County Superior Court revealed the gravity of the charges and the decision to detain the juvenile pending further proceedings, with plans to transfer the case to adult court due to her impending 18th birthday in February.
The episode underscores the extreme dangers posed by such behavior, where split-second decisions at triple-digit speeds could have resulted in catastrophic injuries or fatalities. Law enforcement officials described the driving as erratic and life-threatening, involving swerving into oncoming lanes, passing vehicles on pedestrian paths, and ignoring lights and sirens—all while weaving through traffic on busy roadways.
The pursuit begins: A stolen vehicle and a failed traffic stop
The chaos unfolded around 5 p.m. on New Year’s Day at the intersection of North Reay Lane and West Main Street in Thatcher. A Graham County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to pull over a red Dodge Durango SUV after observing reckless driving. Instead of complying, the driver — later identified as the juvenile — accelerated away, initiating a pursuit that quickly became hazardous due to heavy traffic.
Dispatch notes from the Graham County Sheriff’s Office detail the escalating danger. The vehicle headed northbound on Reay Lane before turning onto Highway 70. Officers reported that the SUV entered oncoming traffic near Trip Canyon and reached speeds exceeding 112 mph. The pursuit was temporarily terminated multiple times due to public safety concerns, including heavy traffic and the driver’s erratic maneuvers, such as swerving across lanes.
One particularly alarming moment occurred on Reay Lane, where the juvenile allegedly passed a gray minivan that had pulled over to yield to emergency lights. According to deputy reports presented in court, the SUV veered onto an adjacent exercise path — a paved walkway used by pedestrians and bicyclists — to bypass the stopped vehicle. This maneuver placed the minivan’s driver in immediate fear of a collision, as the Durango barreled past at high speed on the wrong side of the road. The deputy halted the chase briefly to check on the motorist, who confirmed being in “reasonable apprehension of imminent physical injury,” a detail that would later form the basis of an aggravated assault charge.
The vehicle was confirmed stolen after partial license plate information traced it to its owner, who reported that no permission had been given for its use. The owner – the juvenile’s father – concerned for the juvenile’s safety, also contacted authorities to report her missing around 5:51 p.m., adding a layer of urgency to the search.
Social media boast leads to crash and foot chase
In a brazen twist that amplified the recklessness of the incident, the juvenile reportedly posted a video on Snapchat during or shortly after the initial evasion, claiming she had outrun the police and escaped. This digital taunt, referenced in deputy reports and court testimony, proved premature and ironic. Mere minutes later, the pursuit resumed when other officers spotted the Durango on Highway 70.
The chase continued eastward, with the vehicle clocked at over 100 mph near the intersection with Bryce/Eden Road. It ended abruptly around 5:48 p.m. when the SUV crashed near the refuse transfer station off Highway 70, just east of Fort Thomas. The exact cause of the crash remains unclear from dispatch logs, but the vehicle’s erratic path — including driving in oncoming lanes — likely contributed. The juvenile abandoned the wrecked Durango and fled on foot into the surrounding area, prompting a ground search.
Law enforcement deployed drones to locate her, a tactic that proved effective in the rugged terrain. By 6:18 p.m., a drone was airborne, and units converged on her position using coordinates from a phone ping. She was apprehended around 6:44 p.m. without further incident. Following her arrest, she was transported to the Pinal County Juvenile Detention Center in Florence, Arizona, where she received medical treatment for any injuries sustained in the crash or pursuit.
Court hearing: Charges, testimony, and detention decision
The day after the incident, on Friday, Jan. 2, the juvenile appeared before Graham County Superior Court Judge Michael D. Peterson for an initial hearing. Prosecutor L. Scott Bennett outlined the case, emphasizing the need for detention and announcing intentions to transfer proceedings to adult court given the juvenile’s age — she turns 18 in February. The defense entered denials to all charges, but the court proceeded with a detention hearing based on the state’s concerns.
Four felony counts were detailed in the petition:
- Count 1: Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon or Dangerous Instrument (Class 3 Felony) – Alleging the juvenile used the vehicle to place a motorist in fear of imminent injury during the Reay Lane maneuver.
- Count 2: Unlawful Use of Means of Transportation (Class 5 Felony) – For taking unauthorized control of the Durango without intent to deprive the owner permanently.
- Count 3: Unlawful Flight from Law Enforcement (Class 5 Felony) – For willfully fleeing a marked police vehicle.
- Count 4: Vehicular Endangerment (Class 6 Felony) – For recklessly creating a substantial risk of death or serious injury to the motorist and other drivers through dangerous driving.
Graham County Probation Officer Supervisor Jessica LaRue – who has 27 years of experience – testified as the state’s key witness. She recounted the deputy’s report, highlighting the juvenile’s noncompliance, excessive speed, and a near-collision on the exercise path. The witness confirmed the Snapchat post boasting about evasion, noting it was discovered shortly before the crash. She also revealed the juvenile’s prior involvement with probation, including a pending matter, and expressed concerns about ongoing noncompliance, citing derogatory reports from detention.
Graham County Attorney Bennett argued that the juvenile’s actions posed a “profound” danger to the community and herself, calling it a “miracle” that no one was seriously hurt. He stressed the potential for fatal outcomes had pedestrians been on the path or if the crash involved others. The defense countered that the release could allow for mental health treatment. Still, the judge ruled for continued detention, citing risks of further offenses injurious to self or others and public safety interests under Arizona Juvenile Court Rule 18B.
The juvenile raised concerns about detention conditions, including denial of access to water, and requested a transfer, but the judge deferred to her attorney. The next hearing was set for Jan. 15, at 4:15 p.m. before Graham County Superior Court Judge Pro Tem Travis W. Ragland, with potential remote appearances. Graham County Attorney Bennett reiterated plans for a transfer hearing to adult court, signaling the case’s severity.
