On July 1, 2015, at 8:45 p.m., Yavapai County Sheriff dispatchers were notified by concerned citizens regarding a DUI driver at the Chevron Station just off Highway 69 in Humboldt, Arizona. The initial report indicated the man was attempting to fill the gas tank of a white Range Rover but due to his apparent intoxication, spilled a large amount of gasoline all over himself and around his car.
The man then drove away north on Highway 69 toward Prescott Valley.
Within a few minutes of the call, a Yavapai County Sheriff K9 deputy in the area spotted the vehicle travelling on Highway 169. When the deputy tried to stop the driver, he fled onto Cielo Vista Ln (east of Highway 69). The vehicle returned to Highway 169 heading west towards Highway 69 still failing to stop. Assisting deputies staged at the intersection of 69/169 and stopped adjacent traffic to provide a safety zone as the DUI driver approached.
The driver turned onto south 69 from 169 continuing to flee from pursing law enforcement officers. The vehicle was observed swerving across all lanes of traffic including the emergency lane and shoulder. Around mile marker 276, the vehicle crossed the median and turned north on Highway 69 towards Prescott Valley. After a short period of travel, the vehicle crossed the median again now heading the wrong way by continuing north in the southbound lanes of Highway 69. The vehicle eventually turned off Highway 69 in the 5500 block and continued to flee. At one point the vehicle stopped, reversed, and rammed a Sheriff’s patrol vehicle. Fortunately, the deputy was not injured. The suspect drove to the end of a driveway and continued into a wilderness area where he eventually stopped and fled on foot into the darkness.
Deputies tracked and located the man, identified as 34-year-old Carlos Nieto from Page, Arizona, within 15 minutes. During his arrest, deputies reported obvious signs of extreme intoxication. Nieto was transported to a local hospital for minor injuries sustained during his trek in the wilderness and then booked at the Camp Verde Detention Center. His charges included Assault on Law Enforcement Officer, Endangerment, Damage Property and Flee Pursing Law Enforcement Vehicle. Current bond is set at $162,200.
Blood test results are pending to determine intoxication levels.