CLEARLAKE — Clearlake Police Officers were led on a vehicle pursuit on Friday after attempting to conduct a traffic enforcement stop.
Officers Elvis Cook and Travis Parson were on routine patrol when they attempted to pull over Sherri Painchaud, 31, of Clearlake, for a traffic violation, according to Sgt. Dominic Ramirez. Painchaud failed to yield to the patrol vehicles emergency lights and reportedly fled from the officers. The pursuit continued for approximately six miles throughout the city of Clearlake on residential streets, traveling at speeds of more than 50 mph. Painchaud reportedly disregarded the safety of persons or property, passed vehicles over double-yellow lines and ran red lights.
During the pursuit, Painchaud lost control of her vehicle and came to a stop. The officers vehicle came to a stop behind her vehicle in order to conduct a high-risk vehicle stop. As the officers began to exit their vehicle, Painchaud reportedly placed her vehicle into reverse and rammed the front end of the patrol vehicle, causing moderate damage to the patrol vehicle. Painchaud left the scene and the officers continued to follow her. After several miles Painchaud reportedly hit a dirt embankment and struck the front-end of the officers” vehicle a second time in order to escape the officers.
Painchaud fled and the pursuit continued until her vehicle became disabled in the lake bed of Borax Lake. The officers conducted a high-risk stop and Painchaud reportedly failed to comply with the officers verbal commands. She reportedly refused to exit the vehicle, rolled up the windows and locked the doors. The officers broke out the windows to the Painchaud”s vehicle and deployed Clearlake Police K-9 Max. Painchaud then complied with the officers verbal commands.
Painchaud was reportedly arrested on charges of felony assault on a police officer, felony battery, felony vehicle evasion, a felony parole violation and driving while under the influence. She was booked into the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility, where she is being held without bail, Ramirez stated.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call Officer Parson at the Clearlake Police Department at 994-8251.
