On the afternoon of January 19, Utah Highway Patrol (UHP) troopers spotted a Volkswagen Jetta westbound toward Kanab, traveling at speeds exceeding 90 mph - upon the trooper initiating pursuit, the vehicle sped up further to well over 100 mph. According to UHP, the trooper felt it was safer to radio ahead rather than attempt to overtake the vehicle. Kane County Deputies, Kanab City Police (KPD) and a few more UHP officers were able to respond and prepare spike strips a few miles down the road. By the time the vehicle reached the first set of spikes set up by the deputies, it had reached speeds exceeding 130 mph - the strips deflated the vehicle’s front driver’s side tire.