Stolen Car Leads to High Speed Chase

October 5, 2023

A Clinton man was arrested late last month after leading authorities on a high speed pursuit that saw speeds reach up to, at times, 120 mph.

According to a probable cause affidavit, 34-year-old Steven John Keeto was arrested on the night of September 25 after leading the pursuit that saw Troopers with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Clinton Police involved.

The affidavit said that Clinton Police issued a be on the lookout for a stolen Dodge Journey. Shortly after, an OHP Trooper would locate the suspect vehicle traveling eastbound on Interstate 40 and initiate a traffic stop near the 77.5 mile marker. The driver, later identified as being Keeto, would pull over but eventually would take off again at a high rate of speed. The affidavit said that the Trooper attempted two TVI maneuvers that were unsuccessful, and that the vehicle would eventually make its way back onto westbound I-40 and head back to Clinton at speeds reportedly as fast as 120 mph.

The car would take Exit 69 in Clinton where Clinton police attempted to deploy stop sticks, but the vehicle was able to avoid them and enter into Clinton city streets going this time nearly 100 mph.

Eventually the vehicle would hit a tree in front of a home on Avant Avenue. There, the suspect would flee on foot but was quickly captured and arrested.

The affidavit stated that officers observed the odor of an intoxicating beverage and noticed that Keteo had watery, bloodshot eyes. Keeto denied a field sobriety test but agreed to a preliminary breath test which came back positive for the presence of alcohol. Later he would consent to the state’s alcohol test which came back as Keeto having a .07 blood alcohol level.

During the book-in process at the Custer County Jail, a small burnt pill that was sent to be tested for controlled dangerous substance along with three snorting straws was found on the suspect.

Keeto is facing charges of endangering others while eluding police, unauthorized use of a vehicle, driving while impaired, possession of a controlled dangerous substance and driving without a valid driver’s license.