Reckless driver leads police, deputies on high speed chase

A man led police and Sheriff’s deputies on a wild high speed chase late Wednesday, much of it after two of his tires had been flattened by spike strips.

A deputy spotted a gray Impala nearly cause a collision while driving recklessly at high speeds near Trails Road and Euclid Road at 10 p.m. The deputy attempted to stop the Impala, which kept going and soon hit speeds of 85 miles per hour, according to a Sheriff’s Office news release.

The driver hit spike strips near Sixth Avenue and Government Way, flattening both passenger side tires. The chase was called off near Third Avenue and Cedar for public safety concerns, but other drivers continued to call in reports of a car speeding and driving recklessly, the news release said.

Deputies and police caught up with the driver near Manito Park, where he jumped a median, drove on a sidewalk and nearly hit two vehicles. A deputy hit the Impala, causing it to slide into a tree, in the 700 block of East 40th Avenue.

The driver, identified as 29-year-old Vincent P. Thunderhawk, reportedly refused to follow commands and approached police while saying “Just shoot me,” the news release said. Police dog Laslo was released but Thunderhawk reportedly continued to struggle. He was Tazed before he could be put in handcuffs, the news release said.

Thunderhawk reportedly told deputies that he had “beat up my old lady” and “just gunned it” when he saw the deputy behind him. He is now facing charges of attempting to elude law enforcement, resisting arrest and fourth-degree domestic violence assault.