Cops chase vehicle with passenger sitting on rails of truck bed

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On June 14, 2025, police traffic officers engaged in a car chase when a driver refused to stop despite numerous requests by the officers to pull over.

He was later charged with:

Count 1: Fleeing from or Attempting to Elude Police, a class B misdemeanor punishable by a term of imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of $500, or both imprisonment and fine;

Count 2: Reckless Driving Through Operator’s Responsibility, a class B misdemeanor punishable by a term of imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of $500, or both;

Count 3: Non- Possession of Driver’s License, a class B misdemeanor punishable by a term of imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of $500, or both; and,

Count 4: Resisting Arrest, a class A misdemeanor punishable by a term of imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of $51,000, or both.

The defendant’s bail was set at $3,000.

According to the court affidavit, on June 14th, at around 2:10 a.m, traffic officers patrolling on the northbound lane of the Tafuna public highway observed a vehicle heading south with passengers sitting on top of the vehicle’s rails in the bed area.

Police officers proceeded to pursue the vehicle but it evaded the pursuing police unit and a chase ensued.

During the chase, the driver of the said vehicle willfully refused to stop his vehicle despite being told over the PA system to stop. Emergency sirens and lights were activated multiple times but the driver failed to comply. As the chase approached the Fagaima roadway, police officers observed the vehicle driving recklessly westward while pedestrians were walking along the sidewalk.

The chase continued and the driver fled to the Ottoville highway where he gave up the pursuit and parked the vehicle. When the officers attempted to engage with the driver, he immediately fled the scene on foot.

The officers chased the driver on foot around the Ottoville area where he was captured and apprehended. However, the driver (later identified as the suspect) resisted arrest by trying to break free and pulled away while the officers attempted to secure him with handcuffs.

The driver also emitted a strong odor of alcoholic beverages from his breath and body. He was taken to the Tafuna Police substation for questioning, with one of the officers operating his vehicle.

Upon arrival at the station, the suspect was asked for any form of identification and he informed the authorities that he had no driver’s license or identification documents in his possession. He also stated that his driver’s license had expired in 2023.

The suspect was booked and later transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility to be confined until the next available sitting of the District Court.

An investigation later identified the suspect as Tresil Fepuleai, a 33-year-old citizen of Samoa.