REDDING — Redding Police Officer Rhoads had a wild night on Wednesday. Around 11:20 p.m. was when he attempted to stop a white Honda Accord for a simple traffic violation in the SR 273/Caterpillar Road area, only to have the vehicle gun it north on SR 273 to northbound I-5.
I-5 & Oasis Road, approximate location of crash after pursuit
Rhoads gave chase clear onto I-5 and eventually down the offramp onto Oasis Road, where the vehicle lost control at the turn onto Oasis, flew over the north shoulder, and crashed to a halt in the field beyond.
The driver, 24-year-old Travis James Haller of Redding, attempted to escape on foot but eventually surrendered without further incident. Not only was it discovered that Haller had five outstanding arrests, but a syringe of (suspected) heroin was found on him and 5 grams of (suspected) cocaine found in the car.
Haller was then taken to Mercy Medical Center to be treated for injuries sustained in the crash and released to medical personnel. Per interagency agreement, the CHP is handling the traffic accident side of the case, which as a whole will be submitted to the Shasta County District Attorney’s Office for charges of felony evasion, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of narcotic paraphernalia.
Read more:
The Record Searchlight: UPDATED: Man speeds away from traffic stop, rolls car during chase, police say
Redding Police Department press release (Nixle)
