Fairfield Car Chase
Hi, I’m Ed Smith, a Fairfield auto accident attorney. In Fairfield, on Tuesday, November 29, 2016, the Fairfield Police Department pursued a fleeing vehicle in a high speed chase that ended when the pursued vehicle came to a complete stop as the result of a collision.
A Chase By Car and On Foot
The pursuit started at 9:27 p.m. when police officers attempted to pull over a dark-blue Saturn sedan at the intersection of West Texas Street and Beck Avenue, just southeast of Interstate 80 near Maxx Beauty Supply and the Park Crossing apartment complex. Police reported that they had initially attempted to pull the Saturn over because they suspected the driver of violating a traffic code. However, when the officers tried to pull the vehicle over, the driver sped away, entering westbound Interstate 80 and beginning a high speed chase.
Driver Loses Control of Vehicle
The fleeing driver turned off the freeway at the exit for Suisun Valley road. Soon thereafter, the driver continued on to Nietzel Road where he apparently lost control of the vehicle, swerved off the road just outside of Cordelia Junction, and collided with an embankment. After crashing his vehicle, the driver exited the car and attempted to escape the pursuing police officers on foot. Officers of the Fairfield Police Department organized a search perimeter around the area of the crash and deployed K-9 units to track the fleeing man down. One of the K-9 units succeeded in finding the man who immediately yielded to arrest without any further incident.
The Driver’s Identity and Charges
Police reported that the arrested man was identified as Norman Martel, a 31-year-old resident of Antioch. Jail records indicate that Martel was taken to the Solano County Jail and charged with one felony, evading a police officer, and two misdemeanors, driving without a driver’s license and hit-and-run involving damage to property. His bail has been set at $25,000, and his first appearance in court was scheduled on Friday, Dec 2, 2016.
Drugs and Alcohol
Police have not mentioned whether or not they believe drugs or alcohol to have been a factor in the driver’s erratic and dangerous behavior. However, almost one third of all auto accident deaths in the United States are caused by drivers who are intoxicated in some way. Additionally, many of the intoxicated drivers who cause traffic deaths have been previously caught driving under the influence. In accidents involving injury, property damage, or wrongful death, an intoxicated driver is always considered negligent and, if convicted of DUI, is held responsible for paying all damages incurred as a result of their negligent driving. It is important to know that although intoxicated drivers are liable, they may not be the only liable parties in a case involving DUI.
Fairfield Auto Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a Fairfield auto accident attorney. If you or somebody close to you has sustained any injury in an auto accident, please contact me by calling my telephone number at (707) 564-1900 to receive friendly advice. A consultation by phone is completely free. In cities outside of the 707 area code, you can reach me by calling my toll-free number – (800) 404-5400.
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