TEMPE, Ariz. An Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper crashed into a wrong-way vehicle on Loop 101 in Tempe early Sunday morning. The suspect had gone the wrong way for more than 10 miles. DPS received calls concerning a wrong-way driver around 4:35 a.m. Isaiah Luis Llanos, 22, was detected going east in westbound lanes on I-10 at 40th Street, according to court filings. He drove the wrong way on U.S. 60 and Loop 101 northbound. 12 people called 911 to report swerving to avoid Llanos, authorities say.
A trooper stopped Llanos. The trooper slowed down hoping Llanos would stop, but he kept driving. The trooper then used his SUV to hit Llanos’ car head-on at Baseline Road. Both vehicles’ front ends were damaged, according to video.
The trooper asked Llanos what he was doing after the incident. The trooper reportedly smelled alcohol on Llanos. His arrest followed. The trooper and Llanos were hospitalized. Llanos and the trooper both had minor injuries. Llanos told police he drank during a house party. Llanos stated he was driving because his buddies wouldn’t allow him remain at their place and he declined a ride. Investigators said he left because friends wouldn’t let him stay. He said officers he didn’t know he was travelling the wrong direction and was doing 90 mph.