A 27-year-old man is facing multiple felonies after police say he put a moving vehicle carrying three children into park, sending it skidding off the road during a domestic dispute.  

Maricopa police responded to a domestic disturbance call around 4:53 p.m. July 3 near State Route 238 and Ralston Road, according to a probable cause statement. The woman calling told officers Dillyn Whitfield had been drinking and became verbally aggressive during an argument as she drove with three children in the car. 

While the vehicle traveled down the road at 50 to 60 mph, Whitfield allegedly grabbed the gear shift and put it into park, causing “the vehicle to come to a sudden stop,” according to the probable cause statement. The woman said she managed to keep the vehicle from crashing, and it skidded onto the dirt shoulder. 

When officers arrived, she gave them a video of the incident, which police say showed Whitfield threatening to stop the vehicle and “ruin the whole van.” A loud thud could be heard, followed by the video showing the steering wheel shaking.  

Whitfield allegedly told police he felt kidnapped and that he “did not remember” putting the vehicle in park as it was moving. 

Police arrested Whitfield on domestic violence charges of child abuse, endangerment and disorderly conduct.