A routine patrol in Glendale early Monday morning escalated into a serious crash after a vehicle sped away from Maricopa County Sheriff’s deputies, authorities confirmed.
The incident began shortly after midnight near Citrus Road and Glendale Avenue, west of Loop 303, when deputies approached what they described as a “suspicious vehicle” parked outside several businesses. Before deputies could make contact, the car took off, heading east along Glendale Avenue and then south onto Loop 303.
According to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), deputies soon realized the car was displaying a fake license plate. When they attempted a traffic stop, the driver allegedly switched off the vehicle’s headlights and continued fleeing. For safety reasons, deputies canceled the pursuit.
A short time later, the same vehicle was discovered crashed into a pole near El Mirage Road and Glendale Avenue—roughly ten miles from the initial encounter.
Authorities detained the driver at the scene. A passenger was rushed to a nearby hospital with serious injuries. MCSO has not released their identities or further details about the crash, which remains under investigation.
The Glendale area has seen several late-night traffic incidents this month, with law enforcement urging drivers to avoid high-speed chases and to comply with deputies during traffic stops.
