News

This morning California Highway Patrol attempted to stop a vehicle with a spike strip on the Briceland Thorn Road after the suspects driving a rental from out of state fled an attempted traffic stop for erratic driving.

According to Officer Nathan Bjork speaking for the California Highway Patrol about 8:50 a.m. law enforcement received a call from a tipster warning that a grey Toyota Sequoia was driving erratically.

“About 9:04 the officer located the vehicle near the Briceland Fire station,” Bjork said. “The vehicle was all over the road. [The officer] attempted an enforcement stop about 9:05.”

When the vehicle failed to stop, other CHP officers joined in. An attempt was made to lay down a spike strip to puncture the tires of the fleeing vehicle. However, it was unsuccessful. The driver continued to flee law enforcement all the way through Redway but eventually pulled over near the corner of Redwood and Redway Drives.

Bjork said the officers arrested the driver for suspected felony evasion and the passenger for possession of a baton. More charges are expected, he said. The suspects were transported to the Humboldt County Jail.

Bjork pointed out that catching the suspected DUI driver came from a community member calling in a tip. “We can’t be everywhere,” he said. “The key is having people call us.”

Read the full press release below.

On December 11, 2020, at approximately 0850 hours, the California Highway Patrol dispatch center received a report of a reckless and possibly intoxicated driver eastbound on Shelter Cove Road. A California Highway Patrol officer assigned to the Garberville Area responded and located a gray Toyota Sequoia driving eastbound on Briceland Thorn Road, east of Briceland, which matched the witness's description. The officer attempted a traffic stop on the Toyota, which failed to yield to the patrol vehicle's lights and siren, and a pursuit ensued towards Redway. Additional officers responded to the area and deployed a spike strip, but were unsuccessful. The Toyota entered Redway and subsequently stopped on Redwood Drive, south of Redway Drive. The driver (BANDIN) and right front passenger (BENNION) were taken into custody without further incident.

BANDIN was transported to the Humboldt County Jail and booked for the following charges: reckless fleeing/evading, driving under the influence of drugs, driving while addicted to drugs, probation violations, and out-of-state warrants.

BENNION was transported to the Humboldt County Jail and booked for the following charges: possession of a billy club, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of narcotics.