LOGAN — Authorities have arrested a 21-year-old Providence man who allegedly drove a small black sedan and engaged in extreme reckless driving, leading law enforcement on three separate pursuits through Logan last Thursday evening. Ashton Jeremy Larsen was booked into the Cache County Jail after police asked for the public’s help identifying the suspect’s vehicle.
According to an affidavit of probable cause, the Utah State University Police Department reported that the initial incident began on Feb. 26 at approximately 7:35 p.m. A USU Police officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop near 900 North 800 East after observing the vehicle, believed to possibly be a Honda, speeding and driving into oncoming traffic.
Two unknown motorcycles were traveling alongside the suspect vehicle at the time. When the officer signaled for the vehicles to pull over, the driver of the black sedan failed to comply and instead accelerated westbound on 900 North at a high rate of speed. The two accompanying motorcycles separated from the sedan and continued traveling northbound on 800 East.
During the evasion, the Larsen allegedly committed several dangerous traffic violations. Officers noted that he intentionally drove into the oncoming travel lane, ignored multiple stop signs, and turned off the vehicle’s headlights to avoid being apprehended. Because of the severe threat to public safety, USU Police made the decision to terminate the first pursuit shortly after it began.
However, the dangerous driving continued. A short time later, a second USU Police officer located the suspect vehicle, resulting in a second attempted traffic stop and subsequent pursuit. This chase moved toward the Island area of Logan before officers were forced to terminate it once again, citing Larsen’s erratic decision to maneuver around other motorists while driving completely without headlights.
A third and final pursuit was initiated later in the evening when a Cache County Sheriff’s deputy spotted the sedan near the Mountain Road area in Logan. As with the previous attempts, law enforcement terminated the chase due to ongoing safety concerns and after losing sight of the fleeing vehicle.
Larsen was arraigned Monday in Logan’s 1st District Court, appearing by web conference from jail. He was charged with two counts of failing to stop at the command of police, a third-degree felony; and two counts of reckless driving, a class B misdemeanor.
Judge Angela Fonnesbeck set Larsen’s bail at $5,000 and ordered him to appear again in court March 16.
Individuals arrested and charged in complaints are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.