Man Leads CHP on High Speed Chase Through the Mountain Communities

Article by Malia Dietz

Just before 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23rd, many mountain residents began hearing sirens through different communities across the rim.

According to a CHP press release, a white Mazda MPV minivan was observed traveling southbound on Highway 18 with a broken windshield and broken tail light. The observing officer, Officer Williams from the Arrowhead CHP office, attempted to initiate a stop and the vehicle pulled over into a turnout.

When questioned by the officer, the driver provided false identifying information and did not have registration information for the vehicle. The officer observed two small children on the back of the van as well. The one and three year old children were not properly secured in car seats. Officer Williams took the keys and requested an additional unit to respond to the scene.

Suddenly the driver, using a secondary key, started the vehicle and fled the scene. Officer Williams chased the vehicle through approximately 14 miles of mountain roads. On Highway 18, below the Crestline Bridge, the driver began throwing objects out of the vehicle. Other units who had joined the chase stopped and picked up the items. A CHP helicopter responded and was also following the suspect during the pursuit.

The chase ended in Waterman Canyon. The suspect exited Highway 18 and made a right on Waterman Canyon Road into the neighborhood where the street comes to a dead end. Officers boxed in the suspect and took him into custody.

The driver was booked for evading in a motor vehicle, felony child endangerment, driving with a suspended license, providing false information to a Peace Officer and willfully obstructing or delaying a Peace Officer in the performance of their duties. The children were transported back to their residence by CHP Arrowhead officers.