ADVANCED DRIVER EDUCATION NEEDED

California Deputy Crashes Patrol Car Into House During High-Speed Pursuit Causing House To Catch Fire

By Dan Taylor

The Santa Rosa Press Democrat
October 15, 2018

BODEGA BAY, California -- A Sonoma County deputy’s patrol car crashed into a Bodega Bay house during a high-speed pursuit Sunday, causing both the car and the house to burst into flames.

The injured deputy, whose name hasn’t been released, was taken to a local hospital and was expected to recover, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office said. The extent of his injuries were not disclosed.

At 4 a.m. the deputy was searching the Bodega Bay area for suspects in recent thefts. He found a vehicle he believed was involved with the thefts, the sheriff’s office reported.

As the deputy approached, the suspect vehicle sped away, reaching speeds of 90 to 100 mph, the sheriff’s office said. During the pursuit, the deputy crashed into a house in the 600 block of Highway 1 near Smith Brothers Road.

The deputy was able to get out of his car, and he and another deputy helped the occupants safely get out of the house. Shortly afterwards, the patrol car caught fire and flames engulfed the house. The home’s occupants weren’t hurt, deputies said.

The CHP is investigating the cause of the crash. Highway 1 was closed in both directions for several hours after the crash.

EDITOR’S NOTE: My department had a simple advanced driver ed course. If a wreck is your fault, the cost comes out of your pay.