Two individuals operating a Can-Am side-by-side off-road vehicle on public roads fled from law enforcement and were stopped via a PIT maneuver that ended the pursuit definitively despite the unusual nature of the vehicle involved.
Can-Am Maverick and Commander models are built for off-road use but are frequently operated on public roads in rural areas where enforcement is inconsistent. Their relatively narrow track, open cockpit, and off-road-specific tire profile make them objectively unsuited for sustained highway use and unsuitable for eluding purpose-built patrol vehicles.
The PIT maneuver was adapted to the vehicle’s dimensions and applied at an appropriate speed to bring the Can-Am to a controlled stop. Both occupants were uninjured and taken into custody at the scene.
The charges include operating an unregistered and uninsured vehicle on public roads, fleeing and eluding, and any underlying offenses that triggered the initial enforcement contact.
The incident is one of several involving recreational off-road vehicles being used on public streets that have tested law enforcement’s pursuit protocols, as the vehicles’ dimensions and characteristics differ enough from standard automobiles to require adaptations to standard techniques.