The man who led police and highway patrol units on a 62-mile high-speed chase Tuesday was under the influence of a mind-altering substance.
“He’s definitely under the influence of some type of drug,” said Officer Jason Morton with the California Highway Patrol. “He definitely thinks he’s still in Stockton, California. He has no idea where he’s at. He has no idea of even being stopped or even contacted by Anderson Police Department. He had no idea why there were spike strips on the freeway and why we were chasing him.”
He may soon. The driver, 27-year-old John Salas, is being held in the Shasta County Jail on numerous charges.
The whole incident started around a quarter to 8 Tuesday morning. According to Morton, Salas was stopped by Anderson police after performing several burnouts in front of Anderson police headquarters on North Street. After refusing to exit his red 1992 Dodge Dakota pickup, Salas allegedly peeled out, fleeing southbound on Interstate 5. Salas turned around at Red Bluff, heading back north. CHP said Salas drove at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour.
After two aborted or unsuccessful attempts, CHP units punctured a front tire with spike strips. Salas later crashed into several trees at the Turntable Bay Road off-ramp at Shasta Lake, sustaining slight injuries. He was arrested at the scene. No one else was hurt in the chase or subsequent crash.