Officers from the Susanville Police Department were forced to give chase last Friday night, reaching speeds in excess of 70-mph on city streets, after a DUI suspect fled from a traffic stop on Highway 139 north of town.
According to Lieutenant Matt Wood an officer attempted to stop a vehicle for suspicion of driving under the influence on Highway 139, south of the Skyline Drive intersection, when the vehicle evaded the officer and a pursuit ensued through the streets of Susanville.
The suspect vehicle eventually pulled over on Derek Drive near the intersection of Bunyan Road and the driver, identified as 47 year-old Susanville resident Derek Baker, was taken into custody without further incident.
Baker was booked into the Lassen County Jail on charges of evading a peace officer, driving under the influence and driving on a suspended license. Baker was held on $13,500 bail.
“The pursuit lasted approximately 2 minutes and traversed approximately 1.5 miles, with the suspect vehicle exceeding 70-mph,” said Lieutenant Wood.
The Susanville Police Department was assisted by the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office during the pursuit.
The case has been referred to the Lassen County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
