Staff Reports
SAFFORD — A vehicle pursuit involving a U-Haul moving truck driven by Dora Ward came to a dramatic end Monday night on U.S. Highway 70 in Graham County after Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers and Graham County Sheriff’s Office deputies used stop sticks and a grappler device to disable the fleeing vehicle.
The incident began around 9:40 p.m. on March 23 when a DPS trooper attempted a traffic stop on the eastbound U-Haul near milepost 344. Ward fled, sparking a pursuit that stretched approximately 18 miles eastward along the rural highway between mileposts 345 and 362. Deputies from the Graham County Sheriff’s Office quickly joined to assist the DPS.
Graham County units caught up to the pursuit near milepost 354. One deputy paced the U-Haul at about 80-85 mph, noting no civilian traffic in the immediate area. DPS deployed stop sticks during the chase, and officers observed the vehicle progressively slow as its tires were damaged. Rubber debris and sparks flew from the rims, and at one point, two driver-side rear tires completely detached and rolled into the oncoming lane (which was clear of traffic).
A grappler-certified deputy, driving a vehicle equipped with the device, switched into the lead position. The grappler — a specialized bumper-mounted tool that deploys a heavy-duty nylon net to snare a suspect vehicle’s rear tires — was used on the U-Haul. Initial attempts were challenging due to the truck’s wheel positioning relative to the rear bumper, but the deputy made light bumper-to-bumper contact during deployment attempts. This, combined with the damaged tires, caused the U-Haul to weave erratically between both lanes at a reduced speed of around 45 mph.
The vehicle ultimately lost control near milepost 362, spinning 180 degrees and coming to rest facing westbound in the westbound lane.
Officers immediately initiated a high-risk stop, drawing duty weapons and issuing loud verbal commands for Ward to show her hands and exit the vehicle. Ward, the sole occupant, initially placed her hands on the steering wheel but repeatedly reached downward out of view with her right hand.
Instead of complying, Ward shifted the U-Haul into reverse, then back into drive, and accelerated toward officers standing in the roadway. Deputies repositioned on foot to avoid being struck. The grappler-equipped deputy re-entered his patrol vehicle and used it to block the U-Haul’s path, resulting in a head-on collision. Ward continued attempting to accelerate forward, pushing against the patrol truck for several seconds.
During the standoff, sparks from the damaged rims ignited dry roadside brush, and the fire quickly spread under one of the patrol vehicles. A DPS trooper used a fire extinguisher to suppress the flames, preventing further danger to the vehicles and officers.
Multiple units then boxed in the U-Haul, positioning patrol vehicles to prevent any additional movement. With Ward still refusing commands and keeping the vehicle in gear, a DPS trooper broke the passenger-side window with a baton to unlock the door. Officers entered from the passenger side, placed the truck in park, turned off the ignition, and removed the keys.
Ward continued to resist, refusing to exit and claiming she had schizophrenia. Deputies pulled her from the driver’s seat onto the ground, where she physically resisted handcuffing by pulling her arms away and refusing to surrender control of her hands. Officers eventually gained control and secured her in handcuffs.
The cargo area of the U-Haul was searched and found empty, confirming there were no other occupants or cargo. Ward, 55, was placed in a DPS patrol vehicle and transported to the Graham County Jail by DPS troopers and was booked on charges of aggravated assault on a police officer, unlawful flight from pursuing police officers, endangerment, criminal damage, and failure to comply.
The pursuit was managed without reported civilian injuries, though one patrol vehicle and the U-Haul sustained damage from the blocking maneuvers and collisions. The highway was temporarily impacted near the final stop, but no other traffic was present during the critical phases.
