Smithfield man sent to jail for evading deputies during high-speed chase

Courtesy of the Cache County Jail

LOGAN — A 19-year-old Smithfield man who tried to run from deputies, leading them on a high-speed chase from Nibley to Cache Junction, was sentenced to jail. Colton S. Zilles was ordered to serve one-year but given credit for the 56-days he has already served.

Zilles appeared in 1st District Court Monday morning. He previously pleaded guilty to failing to stop at the command of law enforcement, a third-degree felony, and four other misdemeanors.

On December 17, Zilles was seen by deputies speeding through Hyrum. When they tried to pull him over, he began to speed away. The vehicle continued to Cache Junction, where it failed to navigate a turn, crashing into a tree. Zilles then left the scene and fled on foot.

Deputies set up a perimeter around the crash and brought in a K-9 that tracked Zilles to an abandoned farmhouse. He was found lying under a pile of clothing and was transported by paramedics to the hospital for treatment.

Court records show, Zilles had a warrant out for his arrest after he violated his probation. He had previously been convicted of criminal mischief and drug possession.

During Monday’s sentencing, Zilles told the court he didn’t like people telling him what to do. He refused to give any further excuse when Judge Thomas Willmore asked him, why he was running from law enforcement.

State attorney Spencer Walsh said Zilles has a drug addiction. He noted that speeds during the chase were over 100 mph and put several communities in danger.

Public defender Mike McGinnis told the court how Zilles was injured in the accident. He said hopefully the defendant will learn his lesson.

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