After eluding deputies and fleeing wrong-way on I-5, motorcyclist crashes into SUV in Redding, killing rider
REDDING, Calif., — Authorities say a motorcyclist who was first traveling the wrong way on Interstate 5 and then on Redding surface streets after fleeing from deputies during an attempted traffic stop was killed when he crashed at high speed into an SUV yesterday afternoon, Friday, April 15.
Although deputies had discontinued their chase when the rider fled the wrong way onto I-5, the motorcyclist continued traveling the wrong way southbound in the freeway’s northbound lanes, eventually exiting the freeway at North Market Street. The rider then continued traveling the wrong way into the intersection of North Market Street and Twin View Boulevard, where the head-on collision occurred, according to officials.
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At around 2:30 p.m., Shasta County sheriff’s deputies attempted an enforcement stop on a motorcycle rider near Oasis Road and Interstate 5, Redding Police Lieutenant Danny Smetak later said of the fatal crash.
“The motorcyclist refused to stop and fled at a high rate of speed eventually entering onto northbound Interstate 5 traveling south, against traffic,” explained Smetak, adding, “Due to the dangerous driving, deputies immediately stopped pursuing the motorcycle.”
Although not actively being pursued, officials say a motorcyclist had fled from an attempted traffic stop and was traveling the wrong way on I-5 and then on Redding surface streets when they struck an SUV head-on yesterday afternoon. Redding PD photo
Although no longer being pursued, the motorcyclist, whose name has not yet been released, continued riding into oncoming freeway traffic at a high rate of speed before exiting onto North Market Street while still traveling against traffic in the northbound lanes.
“As the motorcyclist approached the intersection of North Market Street and Twin View Boulevard, the rider collided with a white SUV waiting to turn from North Market Street onto eastbound Twin View Boulevard,” Smetak continued. “The collision caused the motorcyclist to be ejected and sustain fatal injuries.”
The driver and passenger of the Jeep that was struck sustained minor injuries in the collision and were evaluated and treated at the scene by responding paramedics. It was not immediately clear if either required further medical attention.
Redding PD is investigating the collision and their investigation is active and ongoing.
Although North Market Street was temporarily closed from Lake Boulevard to Caterpillar Road while officers processed the scene, the roadway has since been re-opened.
Anyone with information regarding this collision or who witnessed the accident and has not yet provided a statement is encouraged to contact the Redding Police Department at (530) 225-4200. Callers can remain anonymous.
Contact the writer: [email protected]
Trevor Montgomery, 51, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and operates Riverside County News Source (RCNS) and Shasta County News Source (SCNS). Both are stringer organizations, providing breaking news coverage and community interest stories for other mainstream media organizations throughout the two regions they serve.
Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers Valley News, Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; the Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County; and Mountain Echo in Shasta County. He is also a regular contributor to Thin Blue Line TV and Law Enforcement News Network and has had his stories featured on news stations throughout the Southern California and North State regions.
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 30 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 18 grandchildren.