State patrol used tactical maneuvers, devices to end high speed chase

Vorachit Luexayachack, a 40-year-old from Iowa, led Nebraska State patrol on a 40 mile chase through Cheyenne and Deuel counties last week ending in his arrest and the discovery of almost 60 pounds of marijuana.

The Deuel County attorney’s office charged Luexayachack with possession of marijuana with intent to deliver or distribute, possession of more than one pound of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance without tax stamps, and operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest.

At around 8:30 p.m. last Wednesday a Nebraska State Patrolman working in Cheyenne County was patrolling Interstate 80 near Sidney when he clocked a vehicle traveling slightly faster than the speed limit. Upon approaching the trooper’s vehicle, the car reportedly slammed on its brakes and dropped its speed to around 45 miles per hour, when the speed posted on the interstate is 75.

The trooper observed that this was unsafe and erratic behavior, due to a semi following closely behind the car. The Trooper determined that the driver’s behavior was suspicious and attempted to pull the car over, according to the arrest affidavit. The vehicle reportedly slowed down and pulled over to the side of the road but then rapidly returned to a faster speed and proceeded east on the interstate.

From this action, the trooper observed that the vehicle was attempting to evade law enforcement. The occupant, later identified as Luexayachack, was soon traveling at 110 miles per hour.

The vehicle failed to stay in one lane, at times driving down the center of the interstate, according to the report.

Although the Nebraska State Patrol, said they could not speculate as to whether or not anyone was in danger during the chase, the arrest affidavit indicated that Luexayachack’s vehicle nearly hit many other cars traveling on Interstate 80. The suspect would reportedly weave back to the center of the two lanes after passing a car, without signaling, while still traveling at 110 mph. The driver then allegedly shut off his headlight and tail lights in an attempt to lose the trooper.

Because of this other drivers on Interstate 80 had to swerve out of the way to avoid collision once finally noticing the vehicle, which was very hard to see in the dark with no lights, according to the report.

The trooper in pursuit then enlisted the help of Deuel County deputies to set up tire deflation devices in an attempt to end the pursuit and ensure that other drivers were not put in any more danger. The suspect’s left front tire was deflated by the device, which caused the suspect to slow down but not to stop. Two miles later near the intersection of Interstate 80 and Interstate 76 in Deuel County, the trooper used a tactical vehicle intervention maneuver to bring the car to a stop.

After arresting Luexayachack, law enforcement allegedly discovered four large suitcases in the trunk which contained around 58 pounds of marijuana. Law enforcement also discovered that Luexayachack had an active warrant out for his arrest and that his license was suspended.