GILLETTE — A 17-year-old driver and his two teen passengers were arrested after leading police and deputies on a high-speed chase in excess of 155 mph, then attempting to get away on foot.
Corbin Eugene Fraser, the driver, was arrested on a slew of charges, including eluding, reckless driving, interference, expired registration, no insurance and a minor in possession of tobacco.
His two passengers, Nicolas Black, 18, and Kenny Williams-Paff, 19, were charged with interference, a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in prison, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.
All pleaded not guilty to the charges Thursday afternoon in Campbell County Circuit Court.
Going dark
The incident unfolded around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday when a 2013 Mustang Shelby GT raced past a Campbell County Sherriff’s Office deputy on West 2nd Street in downtown Gillette.
The deputy clocked the speed at 55 mph, well above the 30 mph posted limit, according to the affidavit of probable cause filed in the case.
The deputy activated his sirens and lights in an attempt to pull over the speeding vehicle, at which point Fraser allegedly accelerated up to 100 mph as he left city limits and careened through northern Campbell County.
Fraser then also reportedly turned off his lights in an attempt to go dark so officers would not see his vehicle.
At one point, he was clocked at speeding in excess of 155 mph, court documents state.
Depending on its model, the Shelby GT can hit top speeds of 182 mph to more than 200 mph, according to Motor1.com.
Hid In A Field
The vehicle then turned north onto Highway 59 toward Montana, where a deputy up the road was able to deploy spike strips that deflated the tires.
The vehicle continued for about another 3 miles before veering off onto the right shoulder of the highway at milepost 147.
The teens then reportedly attempted to flee on foot and hide in a field, where they were eventually nabbed by deputies.
The vehicle tags had expired in March 2023, and Fraser was unable to provide proof of insurance. Deputies further found two unopened boxes of nicotine vape cartridges when they searched the car prior to its being towed, according to the affidavit.
Fraser reportedly admitted to deputies that he was the driver.
Total disregard
This is one of the fastest high-speed chases, and most brazen, Campbell County Undersheriff Quentin Reynolds can recall in his experience.
“He had a complete and total disregard for law enforcement,” Reynolds told Cowboy State Daily. “I mean, he passed a marked sheriff’s car on 2nd Street downtown, and then he clicked on his lights and he just accelerated.”
The chase lasted about 20 minutes, and the teens probably hid out in the field for another 10 to 15 minutes, Reynolds estimated, based on the timing of the dispatch calls.
This recent arrest came on the heels of a 16-year-old Gillette teen who was arrested in May for attempting to outrun a deputy at 142 mph.
Like the 16-year-old speeder, these teens also walked away without injury as did a 17-year-old driver in Marbleton, Wyoming, who launched a stolen truck and gooseneck trailer through a former post office building in Sublette County last month.
Reynolds wasn’t sure how high of speeds their detectors go to, but reiterated this was one of the fastest high-speed chases in the county to his recollection.
No driving
Campbell County Circuit Court Judge Bartlett also voiced concern about Fraser’s behavior and the danger he poses to the community when he appeared before her for his arraignment Thursday.
“I am concerned about him potentially killing someone with his alleged driving behaviors, not only himself, but potentially two witnesses or two passengers and anyone else that might wonder into his pathway in the nighttime,” she said.
He was released on a $3,000 personal surety bond with an additional $500 cash bond with the further restriction of not driving anything with a motor, including four-wheelers, motorcycles, scooters or cars.
“If you get caught driving a vehicle, you may just sit in jail until your case is over,” Judge Bartlett told the teen.
Fraser’s arraignment is scheduled for 9 a.m. Aug. 29 in Campbell County Circuit Court.
If found guilty, Fraser faces up to 3.5 years in prison, fines up to $4,750, or both.
Jen Kocher can be reached at jen@cowboystatedaily.com.
