ST. GEORGE, Utah - A former NASCAR driver who was arrested last year for leading police on a chase through three states pleaded guilty on Tuesday, saying substance abuse led to his destructive behavior.
In Jan. 2012, Timothy Tyler Walker and his then-wife were driving from their home in California. Nevada troopers attempted to stop him, but he took off. On Tuesday, he pleaded guilty to failure to stop, driving under the influence and possession of methamphetamine.
"I've been able to do some extensive work with a neurologist, psychiatrist. I've had multiple head injuries that have affected the front lobe of my brain, and I've learned now why things were the way they were," Walker said.
Walker had failed to send in his plea agreement by mail several times, forcing him to come to the Fifth District Court and enter the plea in person. He says that during that time, he was receiving treatment for mental health issues and substance abuse.
"He's realizing now that dealing with the pain, dealing with these head injuries, his coping mechanism became substance abuse, and he's addressed that as well," said Trevor Terry, Walker's attorney.
Walker says he does feel like a changed man, and is taking continued steps to make sure he doesn't fall back into the same situation.
"What I look like now compared to what I look like then is a big difference and I feel a lot better and I'm in a lot better place, so I'll just keep working hard and doing my best," Walker said.
Walker will be back in court on Feb. 23 for sentencing. Each charge carries a possible one to five years in prison.
