A driver who led a California Highway Patrol officer on a Saturday midnight high-speed pursuit in Ceres ended up crashing his Toyota Tacoma but managing to escape capture.
Officers will continue to search for the driver who is likely the registered owner of the 2002 Toyota Sequoia living in Keyes.
The CHP officer was westbound on Magnolia Street in Ceres when he spotted a vehicle traveling in the same direction at a high rate of speed. The officer caught up to the vehicle and turned on his flashing red lights but the driver accelerated, turning onto El Camino Avenue and onto southbound Highway 99.
The pursuit reached speeds of about 100 mph before the unknown driver took the exit at Mitchell Road, going too fast and losing control, flipping the vehicle onto its roof.
The suspect – who faces charges of leading police on a pursuit and interfering with a peace officer – was last seen running eastbound underneath the freeway.
The passenger was detained as he climbed out of the vehicle but was uncooperative with officers. He was later released.
The CHP went to the Keyes home of the registered owner’s address to investigate but an occupant who spoke through the door was also uncooperative to assist in identifying the driver.