A Pennsylvania man is facing a number of charges after leading Sheriff’s Deputies on a wild pursuit that crisscrossed rural roads north of Janesville Wednesday evening.
The pursuit began at around 8:00p.m. when a Lassen County Sheriff’s deputy initiated a traffic stop on a black Chevy Tahoe for a traffic violation near Janesville Grade on Highway 395.
The driver of the Tahoe told the deputy he did not have a driver’s license or insurance and, while the deputy was checking the driver and passenger’s information through dispatch, the vehicle sped away.
The deputy pursued the Tahoe southbound on the highway until reaching County Road A3.
“The vehicle turned north onto County Road A3 and all lighting equipment on the vehicle was turned off in further attempt to evade the deputy,” explains LCSO Lieutenant Dave Woginrich.
Despite the vehicle’s lights being extinguished the deputy was still able to see and pursue the Tahoe as it reached speeds of 90mph.
“The vehicle turned west onto Sunnyside Road, continuing to evade the pursuing deputy. The vehicle made a sudden left turn onto the shoulder and struck a wooden fence causing damage to the fence.”
The Tahoe’s sudden turn on the dirt road produced a dust cloud which obstructed the deputy’s vision, and the patrol car collided with the vehicle causing minimal damage.
“The vehicle reversed off of the shoulder and back onto the road, now facing the deputy’s patrol car. The deputy, fearing the vehicle was going ram his patrol car, backed up onto the right shoulder.”
The driver of the Tahoe then accelerated past the deputy, travelling east on Sunnyside Road back toward County Road A3.
The fleeing driver cut across a dirt lot and back onto A3, travelling south with the deputy following as he turned on to Sears Road.
“Another collision occurred when the driver suddenly slammed on the brakes and the deputy’s patrol car struck the rear of the vehicle,” details Woginrich. “The vehicle drove away onto the shoulder and struck a utility box causing damage.”
The Tahoe turned around and drove diagonally, striking the patrol car on its right side, causing damage and speeding off.
The deputy continued to pursue the vehicle as it turned north onto County Road A3. As the driver approached Carolyn Way he lost control, went off the roadway, drove through a fence, collided with a power pole and came to rest in an open field.
The driver, identified by the Sheriff’s Office as 29-year old Ford City, Pennsylvania resident Jacob Bracken, and his passenger, identified as 23-year old Bonnie Walters, also of Ford City, Pennsylvania, were detained on scene and subsequently transported by ambulance to Banner Lassen Medical Center to be treated for their injuries.
“A charge of Evading a Peace Officer with Wanton Disregard for the Safety of Persons or Property, three charges of Hit and Run, and a charge of False Identification to a Peace Officer have been filed with the Lassen County District Attorney’s Office against Jacob Bracken.”
“The Lassen County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the California Highway Patrol for their assistance in this incident.”
