Maybe it was the alcohol. Maybe he was on a mission to find the Holy Grail. After all, the adventure eventually ended in some shrubbery. Nah, police say alcohol was likely the culprit.
One Wyoming driver gave Florida Man stories and the Wyoming Highway Patrol a run for their money after leading them on a 97-mph chase while towing a full-size camper.
The unusual getaway attempt stretched from Interstate 80 onto winding county roads before troopers deployed spike strips. Even after the truck was left with no rear tires to speak of, authorities say the driver continued toward Curt Gowdy State Park before abandoning the vehicle and fleeing on foot.
Troopers later found the suspect hiding in shrubbery near Granite Springs Reservoir.
Driver Allegedly Hit 97 MPH While Towing a Camper
Troopers with Troop J in Laramie say they clocked the Chevrolet 2500 Duramax traveling 97 mph in a 75-mph zone while pulling a full-size camper.
Instead of stopping, the driver continued east on Interstate 80, entered Laramie County, then exited at Buford and headed down County Road 210.
Attempting to outrun police is already a questionable plan. Attempting it while towing what appears to be an entire family vacation makes the strategy considerably harder to understand.
Looking at the photos, this was not some worn-out pickup dragging an equally tired camper. It appears to be a pretty nice Chevrolet Duramax paired with a good-looking travel trailer, which makes you wonder what on earth the driver was thinking as the chase continued and the spike strips came out.
Then again, there is usually little logic to someone accused of driving under the influence. Whatever the plan was, hauling a camper and two kayaks at nearly 100 mph probably was not the best way to improve the odds of getting away.
Troopers eventually deployed spike strips twice on Happy Jack Road, damaging the pickup’s rear tires. The driver continued toward Curt Gowdy State Park despite having what the patrol described as “no rear tires to speak of.”
The Driver Reportedly Tried to Hide in Shrubbery
After the truck came to a stop, the driver got out and attempted to flee on foot.
Troopers from Cheyenne’s Troop A later found the suspect hiding in shrubbery near the reservoir. Authorities say the suspect kicked one of the troopers after being handcuffed.
Police say the driver faces multiple charges, including:
- DUI
- Fleeing and eluding
- Reckless driving
- Speeding
- Failing to stop at a stop sign
- Following too closely
- Improper lane use
The agency added that additional charges were pending.
Wyoming Highway Patrol Did Not Release the Driver’s Name
The Wyoming Highway Patrol did not identify the driver in its social media post.
That is not particularly unusual for humorous law-enforcement posts like this one, which are often designed more as public-safety reminders than as formal announcements that include every detail of an arrest.
The agency shared the incident as part of its “Speeder of the Week” series, using the unusual pursuit to remind drivers about the dangers of speeding, fleeing from police, and driving under the influence.
The Comment Section Wanted a Shrubbery
@officialmontypython Just your average sidequest. #MontyPython ♬ original sound – Monty Python
The detail about the suspect hiding in shrubbery proved irresistible to several readers.
Multiple commenters posted GIFs and references from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, including the Knights Who Say “Ni!” and their famous demand for a shrubbery.
Several commenters also praised the ratchet straps for keeping two kayaks attached to the truck throughout the chase. One joked that whoever secured them must have pulled the strap and confidently declared, “That’s not going anywhere.”
Other readers wondered whether the camper and kayaks would eventually be sold, while one person described the entire situation simply as the “wrong type of vacation.”
A Camper Is Not an Ideal Getaway Vehicle
Although the patrol’s post and many of the comments took a humorous approach, fleeing from police while towing a large camper could have had serious consequences for other drivers.
A travel trailer can become unstable at highway speeds, particularly during sharp turns, sudden lane changes, or after its tow vehicle loses multiple tires.
Fortunately, the Wyoming Highway Patrol did not report that any members of the public were injured during the pursuit.
All suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.