Media Release March 30, 2010 Rock Springs Man Arrested after Gunfire and Chase

Sweetwater County Sheriff Rich Haskell said that deputies responded at about 9:30 PM Monday night [March 29, 2010] to a report that Kenneth Springer, 39, had fired shots inside his residence at 45 Purple Sage Road, west of Rock Springs.

Springer was gone when county officers arrived at the scene. They determined that no one had apparently been injured, but found bullet holes inside the residence.

A description of Spencer’s vehicle, a white Chevrolet welding truck, was broadcast, and officers of the Rock Springs Police Department spotted it not long afterward. They attempted to stop it, but Spencer fled and got on the westbound lane of Interstate 80.

Pursuing officers reported speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour as Spencer moved from lane to lane and “came close to losing control and crashing during the pursuit.”

At a point west of the oncoming pursuit on I-80, Corporal Tony Niemiec of the Sheriff’s Office successfully deployed a set of spike strips in front of Spencer’s vehicle. The tire destruction slowed the vehicle sharply, and it crashed into the median cable guard near the I-80 tunnels above Green River.

Surrounded by deputies, officers from the Rock Springs and Green River Police Departments, and Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers, Spencer at first ignored commands to get out of his vehicle.

Haskell said Communications Officer Tasha Urbatsch was able to establish cell phone contact with Spencer and talked him into leaving his truck for a safe surrender. “He couldn’t open the driver’s door after the crash,” he explained, “so Tasha instructed him to come out the passenger door with his hands up. She also had the presence of mind to broadcast.

Vehicle at the scene of the crash

the conversation to units at the scene so they’d know what was going on. Tasha is one of our veteran communications officers and it showed in her presence of mind and actions.”

Deputies noted three bullet holes in the windshield of Spencer’s truck, from which they recovered a .22 caliber derringer and a .45 ACP semiautomatic pistol.

Officials said alcohol was a factor in the incident.

Springer has been charged with Driving Under the Influence, Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangering, and Fleeing or Attempting to Elude.  His bond has been set at $75,000 cash or surety.