WYOMING – A Casper man led the Wyoming Highway Patrol on a high-speed chase Sunday night, at one point firing a gun at troopers, as he attempted to elude law enforcement on US 20-26.
The incident began when officers from the Mills Police Department began pursuit of Zachery Whiteman, 46, around 10:15pm on April 22. When Whiteman turned his 2005 Chevy Avalanche onto US 20-26, WHP troopers were called in.
Troopers observed Whiteman traveling between 90 and 100 mph while occasionally throwing beer cans from his vehicle. Whiteman’s vehicle crossed the centerline on several occasions into oncoming traffic and was traveling from shoulder to shoulder.
The suspect’s driving was so erratic and dangerous, troopers decided to use a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI) maneuver to stop Whiteman’s vehicle and prevent his actions from hurting others. The first attempt was unsuccessful.
When troopers made a second try, Whiteman fired a .40 caliber handgun at troopers. Troopers performed the maneuver, resulting in the suspect losing control of his vehicle and exiting the roadway.
Whiteman’s vehicle rolled several times and he was ejected from the vehicle. Whiteman was life-flighted to Wyoming Medical Center where he was listed in stable condition.
Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation is currently investigating the incident.
