In a scene that invoked memories of the legendary 1994 low-speed chase that ended in the arrest of former football star/actor O.J. Simpson, the California Highway Patrol found themselves locked into a snail’s pace pursuit Thursday of a stolen big rig.
An officer first observed the stolen cab of a tractor-trailer on Interstate 5 near Newhall, according to the CHP. More officers joined the pursuit when the driver declined to pull the truck over to the side of the road.
Twice, offices tried stopping the truck with spike strips but failed. Eventually a third attempt was successful and blew out the truck’s front tire.
The flattened tire became dislodged and came off, leaving the rim making direct contact with the road and producing a shower of sparks that would ultimately engulf the truck in flames, sending huge plumes of smoke into the sky.
The conflagration finally forced the driver to the side of the road, where he was arrested without incident.
So far, the CHP have declined to release any information about the driver’s identity or any charges that might be filed.
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