Sedona AZ (March 5, 2012) – On March 3, 2012 at approximately 1 AM, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to an emergency alert report involving a wrong way driver on I-17. A truck driver indicated that a silver BMW sedan was travelling north in the south bound lanes of I-17 near Black Canyon City, Arizona.

A Department of Public Safety (DPS) officer and a YCSO deputy drove south on I-17 from Cordes Junction hoping to intercept the BMW. Within minutes, the BMW passed the DPS officer who had activated his emergency lights in an attempt to signal the driver to stop. The vehicle did not yield and continued north in the south lanes.

The BMW then approached a YCSO patrol vehicle driving with emergency lights and siren as the deputy manipulated his spotlight to try and stop the wrong way vehicle. The driver completely ignored these efforts and nearly struck the Sheriff’s unit as it continued north.

After passing the YCSO patrol vehicle, the wrong way driver endangered the lives of two tractor trailer and three passenger car drivers also travelling south. Assisting YCSO deputies quickly arrived in an area north of the BMW’s location and began stopping southbound traffic to prevent a head on collision.

Deputies also deployed several “stop sticks” ahead of the BMW’s lane of travel south of Cordes Junction. Eventually, the BMW approached and struck the “stop sticks” deflating all four tires and causing the driver to slow and eventually stop.

Deputies identified the driver, 44-year-old Rogelio Guzman of Anthem exhibited the strong odor of alcoholic beverages on his breath and person. Deputies also found a receipt in Guzman’s pocket dated the evening of March 2, 2012 documenting purchases of alcohol from a Phoenix area restaurant.

Guzman was arrested and booked at the Camp Verde Detention Center on eight counts of Endangerment (felony) and Driving Under the Influence (DUI). He has since been released on $4000 bond.

While waiting for the BMW to approach the “stop sticks” the deputies diverted a tractor trailer rig and ten passenger vehicles preventing their travel into the suspect’s path.

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