KELSEYVILLE — A driver allegedly in possession of a “meth pipe” Sunday avoided capture following a high-speed pursuit in which he crashed into a power pole.
The unidentified driver was traveling on Highway 29 Sunday near the area of Highway 175 in the Kelseyville area, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). CHP officers were directing traffic following an earlier crash.
At 5:49 p.m., CHP officers Curtis and Forslund reportedly observed the man behind the wheel of a gray 1995 Mitsubishi SUV with a meth pipe in his hand. The officers attempted to wave the subject over by hand, but he failed to yield to the officers” commands.
Curtis got in his patrol car and attempted to stop the man, who continued northbound on the highway at 60 mph. As the driver approached Cole Creek Road, he reportedly sped up to 85 mph, and Curtis continued pursuit of the driver.
The driver turned left onto Cruickshank Road. While negotiating a right turn to head north onto Live Oak Drive, the driver lost control of the SUV and crashed into a power pole. The pole was sheared off at the base and power lines were knocked to the ground.
The driver exited the SUV and fled on foot into a nearby mobile home park. A search of the area was conducted, including the use of a Lake County Sheriff”s Office K-9 unit, but the man was not found at the time.
PG&E and AT&T responded to the scene to restore power and telephone service to the area. The intersection of Cruickshank Road and Live Oak Drive was closed for the repair work, which was expected to reopen early Monday morning.
The incident is still under investigation.
