Chico man leads CHP on 115 mph chase, crashes into Richmond Road bridge
Wesley Chance Hudson, 20, is in custody on stolen vehicle, evading and assault charges after an early afternoon encounter with the California Highway Patrol Monday, Nov. 14.
According to a statement from the CHP, about 1:50 p.m. Nov. 14, an officer traveling eastbound on Highway 36 near Devil’s Corral observed a gray Chevy Tahoe facing eastbound in the westbound lane. The officer parked in front of the Tahoe and activated his warning lights
to warn oncoming traffic. The officer asked the driver what was wrong with the vehicle and requested identification. The driver and the passenger stated they did not have a driver’s license, and they didn’t know who the vehicle belonged to. The iofficer asked for the driver to turn off the Tahoe, at which point the driver placed the Tahoe into gear and sped off eastbound towards Susanville.
The CHP initiated a pursuit after the Tahoe, with speeds reaching 115 miles-per-hour. The Tahoe made several unsafe passing maneuvers and forced vehicles off the road. Upon reaching Town Hill, the CHP canceled the pursuit due to concerns for public safety.
The officer turned onto Cottage Street and again encountered the Tahoe, parked on Lassen Street. Both occupants were out of the vehicle. The driver jumped back into the vehicle, put the Tahoe into reverse and rammed the CHP patrol vehicle. The passenger remained outside of the vehicle and the Tahoe accelerated south on Lassen Street. Responding CHP units observed the Tahoe shortly thereafter, crashed into the Richmond Road Bridge at the Susan River.
The driver fled the scene, running down to the Susan River. Officers from the CHP, the Susanville Police Department and the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office established a perimeter around the area. A CHP officer located the suspect hiding behind large rocks near the river.
The Tahoe was recently stolen from Chico. Hudson is on probation in Butte County, and has warrants issued in Butte County.
The CHP statement did not include any other information about the passenger.
