LOGAN — Traffic along US-91 was partially blocked Tuesday night north of Smithfield as law enforcement arrested a Logan man who refused to cooperate during a traffic stop. The highway was later reopened after 41-year-old Michael Andrew Atha was taken into custody.
According to emergency radio traffic, police received a request to look for Atha and check on his welfare around 7:30 p.m. He was reported to be driving a Honda Civic.
A family member had called 911 reporting Atha was suffering from a mental episode. He also allegedly had a knife.
About 12 minutes later, a Cache County Sheriff’s deputy spotted the suspect vehicle near 5900 N. US-91 and attempted to pull it over. The driver, later identified as Atha, initially refused to stop but then pulled over and opened the car’s trunk, so law enforcement couldn’t see into the vehicle.
Additional units arrived on the scene and blocked north and southbound traffic along US-91.
Deputies reported that Atha got out and back in the car several times, refusing to follow commands. He also dropped a yellow Crown Royal bag on the ground.
Multiple deputies, officers, troopers and paramedics responded to the scene. They used a K-9 to subdue Atha and take him into custody just after 8 p.m.
Traffic was reopened in both directions after being blocked from more than 15 minutes.
Deputies reported that Atha was taken by ambulance to Logan Regional Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. He was still allegedly being combative with law enforcement and paramedics as they tried to offer him medical care.
According to arrest records, Atha was later booked into the Cache County Jail on suspicion of failing to stop at the command of law enforcement, a third-degree felony; and misdemeanors of reckless driving and interfering with an arresting officer. He is temporarily being held without bail.
Individuals arrested and charged in complaints are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.