UPPER LAKE, Calif. – A Sacramento man who led authorities on an early Saturday morning pursuit was involved in a vehicle crash that sparked a vegetation fire near Blue Lakes.
Lenard Harvey Jr., 26, sustained moderate to major injuries in the crash and was placed under arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence and felony evading, according to a Saturday morning report from the California Highway Patrol's Clear Lake Area office.
At 12:30 a.m. Saturday the Ukiah CHP requested assistance from the Clear Lake Area CHP for a pursuit heading eastbound on Highway 20 toward Lake County, the CHP reported.
The Ukiah CHP terminated the pursuit upon approaching Lake County and advised the Clear Lake Area CHP that the suspect vehicle – described as a black Honda with dark-tinted windows – had reached speeds of more than 100 miles per hour and crossed over into opposite lanes, according to the report.
Clear Lake CHP officers arrived in the Blue Lakes area and conducted a search based on the descriptions of the vehicle and driver, finding the 2014 Honda parked on Blue Lakes Road, officials said.
The CHP said that when officers attempted to make contact with the driver – identified as Harvey – the vehicle sped off at a high rate of speed. Officers followed the car, beginning a pursuit on eastbound Highway 20.
Harvey's Honda again crossed the double yellow lines into the opposite lanes, and reached speeds of nearly 100 miles per hour, the CHP said.
The CHP said Harvey lost control of the Honda, went off the north side of the highway and hit a dirt embankment. The crash left him partially trapped inside the vehicle.
As officers were attempting to take Harvey into custody, the vehicle caught fire, which subsequently caused a small wildland fire, the CHP said.
CHP officers on scene extricated Harvey from the vehicle and gave him medical aid while Northshore Fire and Cal Fire personnel arrived on scene and contained the fire, according to the report.
Harvey was transported via REACH air ambulance to Vacaville Medical Center for treatment of his injuries, the CHP said.
The CHP said Harvey complained of pain to his back and chest. He was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the wreck.
The incident remains under investigation by CHP Officer Glen Thomas.
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Sacramento man injured in crash after leading CHP on high speed chase
- Elizabeth Larson
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