A Redding resident was arrested late Monday evening after leading CHP units on a high-speed chase that began west of Susanville on Highway 44 and ended near the Westwood Cemetery on Highway 36 nearly an hour later.
Shortly after 10:00p.m., according to information released by the California Highway Patrol, a motorist advised the agency’s dispatch center that a vehicle was driving westbound on 44 at erratic speeds, refusing to let others pass and brake checking.
An officer with the Susanville CHP responded to the area and located a silver Ford Taurus driving erratically and weaving across the roadway. The officer attempted to make an enforcement stop on the sedan, but the driver refused to comply leading to a pursuit which at times reached 90-mph.
The subject turned around near the Bogard rest stop and then onto county road A1 towards Westwood. Additional CHP Officers and Lassen County Deputies joined in the pursuit and a
spike strip was deployed near the Westwood WYE.
The vehicle turned and traveled eastbound on SR-36 towards Susanville with 3 tires disabled by the spike strip. After the tires disintegrated the vehicle continued on its rims until being spun-out onto the shoulder by CHP. The driver attempted to flee on foot by disobeying commands and officers were forced to deploy a Taser. Subsequently the driver complied and was taken into custody without further incident.
The subject, identified by CHP as 58 year-old Redding resident Timothy Pudwill, was taken into custody for suspicion of DUI, reckless evasion, resisting arrest and driving on suspended license. After medical clearance at Banner Lassen Medical Center he was booked into the Lassen County Jail.
