VERNAL, Utah – A man accused of stealing a semi-truck in Vernal is now behind bars.
Uintah County Sheriff’s Deputies said they were called about a stolen semi Thursday night near 850 Main St. in Vernal.
Deputies said 44-year-old Edward W. Ford III is accused of wandering onto a man’s property and stealing a semi parked near a few other vehicles.
The owner heard the semi driving away and ran outside just as Ford was pulling onto the road.
Officials said the owner jumped in a car and followed his truck.
He was able to position his car in front of the semi to try to block Ford from getting away.
Deputies said at that point the owner and passenger got out of their car, stood in front of the semi and Ford allegedly tried to run over them.
Ford got away in the semi but officers later found he had crashed the truck into a tree and a fence near 26 N. and 1500 E.
Authorities said Ford left the truck and ran into a field where officers later found him and took him into custody.
Officials said Ford was intoxicated when they took him in; his alcohol level was four times the legal limit.
He was booked into the Uintah County Jail on charges of vehicle theft, aggravated assault, DUI and other driver’s license violations.
