Angels Camp, CA…On Nov 3rd, 2016, at approximately 3:35 PM, an officer from the Angels Camp Police Department attempted to make a traffic stop on a vehicle for unsafe speed. The driver of the vehicle, a 1995 Jeep Cherokee, failed to stop for the officer and a vehicle pursuit ensued.

The driver of the vehicle, later identified as Christopher T. Benters, a 39 year old Angels Camp resident, fled east on Murphys Grade Road at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. Benters attempted to turn into a driveway in the 3000 block of Murphys Grade Road, and missed the driveway and drove through some bushes and struck a large tree adjacent to the driveway. Striking the tree caused the vehicle to come to an abrupt stop, and Benters was taken into custody without incident.

Other than some damage to the bushes and the tree on the property, and significant damage to the suspect vehicle, no other damage was noted. Paramedics responded to the scene and checked Benters for injuries, and he was medically cleared at Mark Twain Hospital prior to booking, due to the traffic collision he was involved in.

Benters admitted to having a container of marijuana inside the vehicle, and an inventory search of the vehicle revealed approximately one pound of marijuana inside a large plastic container as well as evidence related to the sales of marijuana.

Benters was booked into the Calaveras County Jail on charges related to evading an officer, transportation and possession of marijuana for sales, and for driving on a suspended driver license.