Man leads police on chase, commits suicide at intersection

SANDY — A wild scene unfolded Tuesday night, when a man who refused to pull over for officers, and then nearly ran over an officer, shot and killed himself while stopped at a busy intersection.

The victim was identified by police Wednesday as 41-year-old Richard Jones of Sandy. Jones had a history of domestic violence cases over the past three years in Sandy, according to a press release from police.

Tuesday's incident began when an officer in an unmarked police car tried to pull over Jones just before 9 p.m. near 7800 South and 800 East, Sandy Police Sgt. Justin Chapman said. But Jones refused.

"He didn't take off. He wasn't going at a high rate of speed. He just didn't stop for the officer," Chapman said.

A short time later, two more officers in marked cars got Jones to pull over. But when one of the officers attempted to talk to Jones, he "tried to run over the officer with his truck," Chapman said.

The officer jumped out of the way and fired at least one shot at the fleeing vehicle, according to Chapman.

Officers followed the vehicle until it stopped again in the intersection near 8000 South and 1300 East. At that point, a second vehicle pulled up near the man. A woman got out and pleaded with Jones to get out of his vehicle, Chapman said.

"He then produces a shotgun while he is in the car, so one officer grabs the woman and other officers have guns drawn, but the gentleman takes his own life with the shotgun," Chapman said.

Police called for a medical helicopter to transport Jones, but he died at the scene.

Chapman said it appeared that the woman did know Jones, but he was unsure of the nature of their relationship.

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