High speed chase ends with spike strips
On Friday, Sept. 11, at approximately 6:31 p.m., the Plumas County Sheriff’s Office received a request for assistance from the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office. Officers were attempting to apprehend a reckless driver who was traveling westbound on Highway 36 toward Plumas County.
The vehicle was described as a green Chevrolet pick-up with a black camper-shell. A Plumas deputy spotted the vehicle traveling westbound on Highway 36 near the Plumas -Lassen County line.
As the deputy turned his patrol vehicle around the pick-up truck quickly accelerated away from the deputy. The deputy activated his emergency lights and siren and pursued the vehicle. During the approximate 20-mile pursuit, the suspect vehicle was paced at several speeds varying from 50 to 90 mph and committed a multitude of traffic violations.
The pursuit ended about one mile into Tehama County after a CHP Officer successfully deployed spike strips and disabled the suspect vehicle’s two front tires. After about 15 minutes of attempting to negotiate the driver out of the vehicle, a non-lethal bean-bag projectile was used to break out the passenger side window of the truck for further negotiation and preparation to deploy a K9 from the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office. After breaking out the window, the driver and sole occupant exited the pick-up. He was safely taken into custody without further issues.
The driver was identified as 49 year-old Donald Cota of Oroville, CA. Cota was transported to the Plumas County Correctional Facility where he was booked for the following charges: 2800.2 of the California vehicle Code – Felony evading, 148(a)(1) of the Penal Code – Offense against public justice (Obstruction), and 11364 of the Health and Safety Code – Possession of drug paraphernalia.
The Plumas County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office, California HighwayPatrol, and Susanville Police Department for their assistance.
