Utah police officers described a ‘mental health crisis’ that involved Petito striking Laundrie on August 12
Officers from the Moab Police Department said they responded to a report of a domestic violence incident between Petito and Laundrie on August 12 after a bystander contacted police.
The responding followed the van and pulled it over. He said the van was doing 45 mph in a 15 mph zone.
During the stop, the officer’s report said the van crossed a double yellow line, switched lanes, and swerved to the right, hitting with the curb.
The officer said he found Petito crying in the passenger seat. He wrote in the report that she cried and seemed distraught in their conversation, and told him she had been arguing with Laundrie and was struggling with her mental health.
Laundrie also told the officer of an “emotional strain” and ongoing arguments between him and Petito. According to the police report, Laundrie said Petito hit him when she thought he was going to drive away without her after an argument.
“After evaluating the totality of the circumstances, I do not believe the situation escalated to the level of domestic assault as much of that as a mental health crisis,” the officer wrote.
He said he suggested that Laundrie and Petito remain separated for the night.
While the couple didn’t want to separate, the officer wrote, they ultimately agreed. Petito kept the van while Laundrie checked into a hotel for the evening, according to the police report.
Another officer said that Laundrie and Petito “reported they are in love and engaged to be married and desperately didn’t wish to see anyone charged with a crime.” Pratt said both Petito and Laundrie told him that Petito suffered from “serious anxiety.”
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