DPS NEWS

Trooper Geoffrey Hall Successfully Intercepts a Wrong-Way Driver on I-15 Near Nephi

At 11:30 pm on November, 20th, 2020, Richfield dispatch received multiple 911 calls of a wrong-way vehicle on I-15 near mile marker 228 (north Nephi exit). The vehicle was traveling north in the southbound travel lane. Trp. Geoffrey Hall responded to the area and located a minivan facing the wrong way near mile marker 232, it was stopped on the edge of the southbound travel lane in the median. Trp. Hall who was traveling north cut through the median pulling up to the minivan to make contact. At 11:46 pm the minivan drove away again traveling north in the southbound travel lanes. Trp. Hall cut back to the northbound travel lanes and accelerated past the minivan that was now traveling over 100 mph. Trp. Hall could see several cars traveling south and moved ahead of the van to try and warn oncoming cars. The van passed the 233 (Mona) exit and continued the wrong way. Trp. Hall went to the next cross over at mile marker 234, recognizing the threat to the public, at 11:48 pm he pulled into the median and rammed the van when it approached. The front of Trp. Hall patrol car impacted the front right of the minivan. The van was pushed off the roadway near the freeway fence. Officers from Nephi Police Department and Juab County Sheriff’s Office arrived on the scene seconds after and placed the driver into custody without incident. Trp. Hall was uninjured in the crash, his car sustained major damage and all the airbags deployed. The driver of the van had some minor abrasions from flying debris during the collision. Both Trp. Hall and the wrong-way driver were checked out by medical personnel on scene. The Nephi Police Department arrested the wrong-way driver on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, being an alcohol-restricted driver and requiring an ignition interlock device that was not installed, having a suspended driver license for failure to appear/comply and it was discovered that the driver is on parole.

Below is a video of Trooper Hall’s ramming the wrong way vehicle and a clip from Trooper Hall’s dash cam showing the large amount of traffic that was southbound during the incident. Trooper Hall’s actions likely saved lives on this night.