National Park Rangers Open Fire After Suspect Crashes Into Their Cruiser

 

 

 Kane County, Utah — On May 3, 2025, two U.S. Park Rangers working at the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area responded to a dispatch call that reported an erratic driver in a white pick-up truck near Lake Powell. At 7:47 p.m., the rangers conducted a traffic stop on Highway 89 on a pick-up truck matching the vehicle description. While one of the rangers was speaking to the driver, later identified as 51-year-old Gregory Aaron Farley, he fled the scene at a high rate of speed, nearly hitting one of the rangers. The rangers returned to their patrol vehicle and pursued Farley. During the pursuit, Farley turned around and collided into the driver’s side of the rangers’ vehicle. As a result, the rangers were pushed into the shoulder of the road, the airbags deployed, and the driver’s side door was rendered inoperable. After Farley hit the rangers’ truck, he reversed his truck and was still facing the rangers’ truck. Officer 1 fired his sidearm at the suspect from within the truck, as Officer 2 got out of the passenger side and fired from behind cover. Officer 1 and Officer 2 attempted to get the suspect to surrender, but he would not come out of his truck. Several additional law enforcement officers from NPS, Kane County Sheriff's Office, Utah Highway Patrol, Page Police Department, Coconino County Sheriff's Office, and Arizona DPS responded to the scene. Law enforcement blocked off the highway and negotiated with the suspect for over 45 minutes until he agreed to come out of his truck. Officer 3 who was also a paramedic, convinced the suspect to exit the vehicle. Upon being taken into custody, the suspect was provided medical aid by on-scene officers and paramedics. He was transported to Page Hospital where he was treated for non-critical injuries sustained from a single gunshot wound and the vehicle collision. After being released from the hospital, the suspect was taken to the Coconino County Jail. He was later charged with assault on a federal officer by the United States Attorney's Office, District of Utah. NPS Officers 1 and 2 were evaluated for minor injuries at the hospital and released.