Sonora, CA…On December 18, 2019 just after 1:00am, CHP Officers received a request to take over a pursuit from the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Department. The officers caught up to the pursuit, traveling southbound on Big Hill Road at Five Mile Creek Road. The officers took over the pursuit and continued to chase the green Chevrolet Pick-up, which was being driven by 55-year-old Dean Ray Bennett of Sonora, for approximately 11 miles. The pursuit lasted approximately 25 minutes and traveled at speeds in excess of 70 miles per hour.

During the pursuit, Mr. Bennett violated several California Vehicle codes including: unsafe speed, failing to stop for traffic signals and driving to the left of the double yellow lines. A California Highway Patrol sergeant was able to successfully deploy a tire deflation device also known as a spike strip on Washington Street, just west of State Route 108. Mr. Bennett continued to drive his vehicle until it came disabled on a private residence on Cedar Road in Sonora.

He was quickly apprehended and placed under arrest without further incident. Mr. Bennett was booked into the Tuolumne County Jail for failure to yield and unlicensed driver.