A Chico man was taken to the Tehama County Jail and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and hit-and-run following a non-injury crash on Highway 36 about 10:37 a.m. Friday, Sept. 27, according to a statement from the California Highway Patrol.
According to the CHP, Walter Cheechov, 74, of Davis, California, was driving a 2011 Chevrolet 3500 eastbound on Highway 36, just west of the Pacific Crest Trail. At the same time, Matthew Hust, 37, of Chico, California, was driving a 2016 Ram 3500 westbound on Highway 36.
Hust allowed the Ram to cross over the solid double yellow lines and he entered the eastbound lane in front of Cheechov. The driver side mirrors of both vehicles collided and the driver side window of Cheechov’s Chevrolet shattered.
Cheechov pulled over to exchange information, but Hust continued driving westbound. Chester Resident Post CHP and Red Bluff CHP conducted a search for the hit-and-run vehicle.
Hust and the Ram 3500 were found stopped on Highway 32, just east of the Chico Creek Bridge, waiting in traffic control for the Park Fire rehabilitation project.
Hust was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and hit-and-run. He was booked into the Tehama County Jail. No injuries were claimed.
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