Contributed Photo/Courtesy GCSO: Victor Ballesteros, 34, of Safford, was booked into jail on a warrant for aggravated DUI. He was arrested after fleeing from police and faces possible pending charges including failure to yield to pursuing law enforcement, resisting arrest, driving on a suspended license, and aggravated DUI, are awaiting blood test results and review by the Graham County Attorney’s Office.
Deputy’s thumb broken in pursuit
By Jon Johnson
GRAHAM COUNTY – A Graham County Sheriff’s Office deputy suffered a broken thumb during the pursuit of a fleeing suspected drunk driver.
Victor Ballesteros, 34, of Safford, was already wanted on a warrant for two counts of aggravated DUI when he was apprehended. He was booked into the Graham County Adult Detention Facility on his warrant, with possible pending charges including failure to yield to pursuing law enforcement, resisting arrest, driving on a suspended license, and aggravated DUI, are awaiting blood test results and review by the Graham County Attorney’s Office.
According to a Graham County Sheriff’s Office report, on May 19 at about 1:52 a.m., a deputy was on patrol in the area of the 8th Avenue roundabout north of the 8th Avenue Bridge when he noticed a dark-colored sedan with an obscured license plate. The deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop for the illegible license plate but the driver, later identified as Ballesteros, failed to yield and instead continued slowly at roughly 30 mph until coming to a stop in the area of 6th Avenue and 2nd Street.
At that time, a second deputy also arrived at the scene. Ballesteros then exited his car, later identified as a 2013 BMW, and fled from the deputies on foot. A female passenger stayed in the car and was later released from the scene.
Ballesteros reportedly tripped over a residential fence while running from the police, and the pursuing deputy did so as well, possibly injuring his thumb in the process.
The deputies then caught up to Ballesteros in the residence’s yard and took him to the ground. The report advises Ballesteros continued to resist but was forcefully placed in restraints. Paramedics later examined him before being cleared for jail.
The deputy drove himself to the Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center, where his thumb was confirmed to be broken.
Ballesteros’ blood was taken for testing purposes and he was then booked into jail on his warrant.
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