Elmore and Owyhee Sheriff’s Offices involved in high speed chase

On August 15th, 2019, at approximately 8:20 p.m., the Idaho State Police located a 2001 GMC Sierra pickup traveling northbound on State Highway 51 in Owyhee County, Idaho. This vehicle was identified as a vehicle which had led federal law enforcement officers with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) on multiple high speed chases earlier in the evening. The Idaho State Police was advised by the BIA officers the driver of the GMC was likely impaired. The BIA had received a call from citizens about this vehicle driving in an erratic manner and almost causing crashes on a Nevada highway. After locating the vehicle, an Idaho State Police trooper followed the GMC for several miles and observed dangerous driving that posed a high public safety risk. The trooper activated his emergency lights and the driver sped up and eluded law enforcement again. The pursuit of the GMC continued until milepost 58 on State Highway 51, when the driver of the GMC lost control and the vehicle rolled down an embankment.

The driver of the GMC was identified as Daniel Abel, a 35 year old male from Owyhee, Nevada. Abel was not wearing his seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle. The passenger was identified as James Luther Thomas, a 37 year old male from Fallon, Nevada. James Thomas was wearing his seatbelt and was transported to St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise. The driver, Daniel Abel, was also transported to St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The Owyhee County Sheriff's Office and Elmore County Sheriff's Office were also involved in the attempt to apprehend the occupants of the GMC.