Wanted Cottonwood man who led officers on multi-agency 100 mph pursuit arrested

REDDING — An alleged drunk driver who was wanted for a previous DUI was arrested early Sunday morning, Nov. 11, after leading officials from at least five area law enforcement agencies on a pursuit that traveled through Shasta County into Butte County.

The man was apprehended after fleeing from his disabled car after officials successfully deployed spike strips, deflating both front tires of the man’s vehicle.

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Sunday morning’s incident began about 1:47 a.m., when a Shasta County sheriff deputy was patrolling the area of Highway 273 and observed a red Toyota Supra leave the Win-River Casino, heading northbound on Highway 273.

As the deputy followed the vehicle he observed that the driver, later identified as Scott Rodrick  Brummett, 30, of Cottonwood, appeared to be having difficulty staying within his lane and suspected the man might be intoxicated.

Officials say that as the vehicle stopped at a stoplight, Brummett “began revving its engine and accelerated when the light turned green, appearing to be attempting to race with another vehicle, traveling in the lane next to it.”

Based on his observations, the deputy activated his patrol vehicle’s lights and siren in an attempt to conduct a suspected DUI traffic enforcement stop.

Despite the deputy’s lights and siren, Brummett refused to yield and continued eastbound from Hwy. 273 onto S. Bonnyview Rd., and then south on I-5, where he accelerated to over 100 mph in an attempt to elude deputies.

During the pursuit Brummett reportedly drove in an extremely aggressive manner, without regard for the safety of pursuing officers or other citizens, and was seen running red lights and stop signs, and traveling well in excess of the posted speed limit.

As the pursuit continued southbound on I-5, deputies notified Anderson Police Department and CHP; and officials from both agencies, along with a CHP helicopter, soon joined the pursuit.

When the fleeing vehicle neared the intersection of I-5 and Riverside Dr., an Anderson PD officer was able to deploy a spike strip in front of the Toyota’s path, deflating both of the vehicle’s front tires. Despite his deflated front tires, Brummett continued southbound on I-5, leading pursuing officers into the Cottonwood area.

Brummett eventually came to a stop on Main St. in Cottonwood, just south of the Shasta County line, where he fled on foot from his disabled car. He was seen running westbound from the vehicle, where he jumped a six-foot fence and ran across I-5. Because Brummett had crossed the county line, Tehama County Sheriff’s Office joined the other four agencies in searching for the fleeing man.

Brummett’s passenger, Kenny T. Redd, 37, of Tennessee, remained inside the vehicle after Brummett fled and was quickly detained by officials. Redd was reportedly cooperative with investigating deputies and later released without charges.

After a short search, officers and deputies located Brummett hiding behind the barn of a nearby residence and he was taken into custody without further incident. During their subsequent investigation, deputies determined Brummett was under the influence of alcohol and he was arrested for DUI.

Deputies also learned Brummett had an outstanding warrant for a prior DUI and violation of probation, and that he was required to operate a vehicle equipped with an interlock ignition device, which his vehicle did not have.

After his arrest, deputies transported Brummett to Shasta County Jail in Redding and he was booked on suspicion of felony evading, resisting or obstructing a peace officer, driving under the influence of alcohol, operating a vehicle without an interlock device, driving with a suspended license, and his outstanding warrant for violation of probation. A jail records search indicated Brummett remains in custody on $51,000 bail.

 

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Trevor Montgomery, 47, moved last year 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 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.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 28 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 14 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.