An Oklahoma driver decided to abandon his truck and run from police after officers tried to pull him over for speeding. Now he’s facing multiple charges.
The Tulsa Police Department identified the man as 37-year-old Victor Trinidad, and officers say they clocked him driving 25 mph over the posted speed limit near 34th Street and Garnett on Oct. 11 around 10:45 p.m.
Police say the officer activated her emergency lights behind the Chevrolet Silverado, which stopped at a red light. However, when the light turned green, Trinidad took off instead of staying put.
Officers pursued the Silverado until it turned into the Bristol Park apartment complex near 43rd Street and Garnett. Trinidad continued speeding through the parking lot before ditching the truck and attempting to escape on foot.
The Chase Continues
Officers continued to pursue Trinidad on foot after he abandoned the Silverado and were able to take him into custody, according to the department.
Police said the truck had multiple open beer cans inside, and Trinidad showed multiple signs of intoxication. He refused all sobriety tests offered to him as well.
Four Charges Listed
Trinidad was booked into the Tulsa County Jail on charges of aggravated DUI, endangering others while attempting to elude a police officer, reckless driving, and transporting an open container of beer.
Jail records list $7,000 in bail for the aggravated DUI charge. The other listed charges show bail amounts of $0.
The booking information also shows that Trinidad has an ICE hold. That indicates an immigration-related hold or request from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ICE detainers can ask a local jail to notify the agency before a person is released and request that the person be held for up to 48 hours beyond their otherwise scheduled release so ICE can assume custody.
The available booking information does not explain the specific basis for Trinidad’s hold. The hold does not, by itself, establish his immigration status or mean he will be deported.
What He Could Face
Oklahoma law states that aggravated DUI can be charged as a felony when someone is driving 20 mph over the speed limit or attempting to elude police. The penalties depend on the driver’s prior DUI history and can include jail time, fines, supervision, and mandatory ignition-interlock use.
Oklahoma law also states that endangering another person while attempting to elude a police officer is a felony punishable by one to five years in prison, a fine of $1,000 to $5,000, or both.
These are potential penalties, and Trinidad hasn’t been convicted yet.
Trinidad is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.