An impaired driver with a rifle prompted the closure of Highway 89 last Thursday.
A DPS trooper initiated a traffic stop on 89 for a suspected impaired driver who had been reportedly running other cars off the highway. The driver ignored the trooper’s commands and fled in his vehicle. He then pulled into a parking area, exited his vehicle with a rifle, and sat at the end of the parking area. DPS requested assistance from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, initiating the closure of the highway for the protection of the public.
With YCSO tactical personnel arriving on the scene, the subject retrieved his rifle, climbed into his vehicle, and drove into the trees. A DPS ranger helicopter and YCSO drone confirmed that the subject was hiding in the bushes and was still armed with a rifle.
A YCSO sergeant was able to communicate with the subject and talked him into surrendering. He was then taken into custody by DPS without further incident.