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Summit County Sheriff Department Removes Truck From Railroad Tracks

Summit County Sheriff's Office

Thousands of Utahns have been preparing to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Golden Spike. Meanwhile, Summit County deputies last weekend detained two motorists who were blocking freight traffic on the rail line in Echo Canyon.

On Saturday, shortly before 4:00 pm, dispatch got a report from Union Pacific that traffic was halted on the line.

Deputies responded to the Wasatch Road exit off Interstate 80, about 15 miles east of Echo. They found a small pickup truck that had gotten high-centered on the railroad track while trying to cross. The two passengers said they had a flat tire.

Sheriff’s Lt. Andrew Wright said the driver, identified as 28-year-old Evanston man, explained that he was “trying to get away form people” that he owed money to his uncle, and also had some kind of drug issue with the relative. He and his companion, a 22-year-old man from Rawlins, Wyoming were arrested and jailed for trespassing. A tow truck removed the pick-up and trains were able to resume travel.

The Sheriff’s log also included a report Sunday night of a man threatening violence in the Kimball Junction area. Lt. Wright said it’s the latest report involving one suspect who has caused several incidents over the past three to five months.

At about 8:30 pm, officers got a complaint from a 33-year-old man from Parowan who said he was shopping at Smith’s. He was accosted by the suspect, who yelled that the victim was trying to steal his identity, or that he was posing as Sheriff Martinez. The suspect also yelled that he was going to blow up Smiths.

The victim left the store and walked to the Kimball Transit Center, but was followed by the suspect, who threatened violence with a knife. When a deputy caught up to him, the suspect claimed he was the winner of California’s largest lottery.

Lt. Wright said the suspect, a 28-year-old man listed as living in Park City, has been involved in several recent incidents, including a disturbance at the Coalville post office, and a report that he was berating the clerk at the Summit Park convenience store.

The Lieutenant said the suspect, currently in jail, seems to have mental health issues, induced by substance abuse. He said they’ve been talking to family members, who live in Utah County, about how to get him to some treatment.

Known for getting all the facts right, as well as his distinctive sign-off, Rick covered Summit County meetings and issues for 35 years on KPCW. He now heads the Friday Film Review team.
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