REDDING: Pursuit that covered 3 highways ends just 3 miles from where it began

UPDATED: Tuesday, Aug. 14, 11:30 p.m. With additional details and interview.

Mike Daly contributed to this report.

 

REDDING — Details are still emerging after a dangerous, high-speed pursuit that started  when a Redding PD officer spotted a speeding car and ended about 22 miles later when a California Highway Patrol officer used a pursuit intervention maneuver that sent the suspect’s car careening of control and the CHP patrol SUV into a traffic signal pole earlier this morning.

The dramatic ending to the 12 minute pursuit, which reached speeds up to 100 mph, happened at the intersection of Dana Dr. and Friendly Rd. in Redding, less than three miles from where the chase began.

LEADING THE SCNS HEADLINES:

MT. SHASTA: At least 3 dead after I-5 fiery wreck involving RV, pickup truck

UPDATE: Redding man, 27, who leaped to death during Redding vehicle, foot pursuit ID’d

Redding sex offender arrested again after numerous reports of masturbating in public

The driver was arrested after resisting arrest and fighting with a police K9, according to official radio traffic and witness statements. He was expected to be booked into Shasta County Jail in Redding after receiving a medical clearance based on the PIT maneuver and collision at the end of the pursuit.

The incident began around 6 a.m., when a Redding PD officer spotted a grey sedan speeding eastbound on W. Cypress Ave., near the Sacramento River.

While the officer was attempting to catch up with the speeding motorist, who was described as a white male adult wearing a blue hat, SHASCOM updated that the vehicle matched the description of an earlier broadcast regarding a reckless and possibly intoxicated driver.

When the officer attempted to conduct a traffic enforcement stop on Bechelli Ln. near 3rd St. the driver refused to yield to the officer’s lights and siren. The driver sped away from the official, at which time the officer radioed SHASCOM that he was in pursuit of the car.

During the high-speed chase the man drove in an extremely reckless manner, without regard for the safety of pursuing officers or citizens. He was seen driving on the wrong side of the roadway, refusing to stop for stop signs and traffic signals, and driving more than double the posted speed limit.

The pursuit traveled along city streets, through residential neighborhoods, and on three different highways; including I-5 and Highway’s 44 and 299, before ending with a CHP PIT maneuver at the intersection of Dana Dr. and Friendly Rd., near In-N-Out Burger.

The pursuit intervention maneuver sent both the CHP vehicle and suspect’s sedan careening out of control, disabling the man’s car. Nearly a dozen CHP and Redding PD officials who had been involved in or shadowing the pursuit quickly stacked up behind the suspect’s disabled sedan. With guns drawn, officers began issuing commands to the driver to exit his vehicle and comply with their orders.

The suspect refused to cooperate and officers eventually deployed a K9 to apprehend the man, who fought first with the police dog and then with arresting officers. Despite the driver’s resistance, officers quickly overpowered the man and took him into custody.

During the felony stop and man’s arrest, officials closed down the intersection, diverting other motorists away from the scene. The roadway was re-opened a few minutes later after the driver was taken into custody.

The man, who was found to have a large knife strapped to his wrist, was later taken to Shasta Regional Medical Center for a medical clearance required for booking. He was expected to be transported to Shasta County Jail after being medically cleared.

Redding resident Charleen Bruntowski – who said she was heading to work when she witnessed the conclusion of the pursuit – later said she had been stopped at the intersection when CHP performed the PIT maneuver that sent the two vehicles spinning out control.

Bruntowski described seeing “about a dozen or more” CHP and Redding PD patrol vehicles pull up in the moments immediately after the PIT maneuver and crash.

“It really looked like a hard ending for both (of) them,” said Bruntowski.“Even though the move disabled the man’s car, the CHP car looked like it hit the traffic pole pretty hard.”

“I’m just glad nobody was hurt and I hope he stays in jail for a long time,” said Bruntowski. “That jerk could have killed somebody.”

It was not immediately known what charges the man was facing and officials have not released the subject’s name or any other information related to the pursuit and subsequent arrest.

Click any image to open full-size gallery.

Mike Daly video

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 47, recently moved to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle, and Anza Valley Outlook; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and The Mountain Echo in Shasta County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.