On November 8, 2022 at around 11:00 PM, Officers with the Yuma Police Department attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle that was traveling at 70 miles per hour through the City of Yuma.
Upon initiating the traffic stop, the vehicle continued at high rate of speed. At that point, a pursuit was initiated. A short time after the initiation of the pursuit, Yuma County Deputies informed Officers that the suspected driver had an active warrant for his arrest. The vehicle continued down several county roads. The suspect then started to head back towards Yuma. The Officer tried to get in front of the suspect vehicle in an attempt to stop it before it got back to city limits. While doing so, the suspect intentionally struck the Officer’s vehicle.
The pursuit continued down more county roads and ended up in Washington County. Yuma Police Officers and Yuma County Deputies continued the pursuit. While in Washington County, a PIT maneuver (Pursuit Intervention Technique) was attempted, however the suspect was able to evade the maneuver. Yuma County Deputies were able to successfully deploy stop sticks (tire deflation device).
The vehicle continued with one flat tire. The suspect eventually headed back towards Yuma. When the suspect entered city limits, another PIT maneuver was executed. This maneuver was successful, and Officers and Deputies were able to contain the suspect vehicle. In an attempt to get away, the suspect struck several police vehicles and rammed a Yuma Police vehicle.
The suspect was taken into custody without further incident.
The driver was 32 year old male who was charged with vehicular eluding, 2nd degree assault (4 counts), reckless endangerment, leaving the scene of an accident, violation of a protection order (5 counts), violation of bail bond conditions, reckless driving, driving under the influence, 2nd degree criminal trespass, and open container.
The suspect was identified as Jesse Matschke from Wray. The suspect is innocent until proven guilty.
The Yuma Police Department would like to thank the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office and W-Y Communications Center for their help in the pursuit.
