FARMINGTON -- A man who allegedly admitted to driving impaired while on medication led state troopers on a chase between Farmington and Sunset on Saturday.

Utah Highway Patrol Cpl. Kim Farnsworth said troopers received a call from the Salt Lake UHP of a possibly impaired hit and run driver headed north on I-15.

Troopers stopped the vehicle at about Shepard Lane, but the driver, Nels Harold Paulsen, 34, Salt Lake City, refused to open the window or unlock the door.

Troopers broke the passenger window with a window punch to attempt to forcefully extract the driver to investigate for impairment.

At that point, Paulsen allegedly pulled into traffic and fled. Farnsworth said a pursuit ensued, reaching speeds of 70 mph. Several attempts were made to spike the tires, but Farnsworth said Paulsen swerved around the first set of spikes, and during the second and third attempt the driver swerved directly at the officers throwing the spikes. On the third attempt, Farnsworth said the driver went off the road directly at a Davis County Sheriff's deputy throwing the spikes. Then the vehicle swerved and slowed and Farnsworth was able to use the P.I.T. maneuver to stop the vehicle.

Farnsworth said the driver continued to refuse to leave the vehicle and was extricated through the driver door and the window was broken out and the door unlocked by officers.

Farnsworth said Paulsen admitted to using medication that morning.

No injuries were sustained during the incident.



mwilliams@davisclipper.com