A suspected DUI driver behind the wheel of a maroon Dodge Charger with blacked out windows led California Highway Patrol officers on a wild pursuit that stretched from the West Valley all the way to Pasadena. Local news anchors covering the chase live said it best when they called it “a pursuit for the ages,” and honestly, once you hear the details, it is hard to argue with them.
The Charger reportedly hit speeds north of 130 mph during parts of the chase, at times running without headlights, which made things even trickier for the news helicopter trying to keep up. Air 7 actually lost sight of the car more than once because it was moving so fast. That is saying something when your competition is a helicopter.
But the real head scratcher came when the driver pulled off the freeway and into a gas station. Not to ditch the car. Not to make a run for it on foot. Just to pump several gallons of gas before hopping right back on the freeway to continue the pursuit. It is the kind of detail that sounds made up, but it happened, and it is now one of those moments that will probably get replayed for years anytime someone brings up memorable CHP chases.
A Chase With an Unexpected Fuel Break
Anyone who has ever driven on fumes praying to make it to the next exit might feel a strange kinship with this decision, minus the whole fleeing from police part. Whatever was going through the driver’s mind, running out of gas mid pursuit apparently ranked higher on the worry list than getting away clean.
It is a reminder that even in the middle of chaos, some priorities do not change.
How It Ended in Pasadena
The pursuit, captured by ABC 7, eventually wound down near Del Monte Street and Forest Avenue in Pasadena. That is where the driver and two passengers jumped out of the Charger and tried to make a run for it on foot.
All three were taken into custody without further incident, closing out a chase that covered a huge stretch of Southern California freeway.
A Second Pursuit the Same Night
As if one wild chase was not enough for the evening, CHP also handled a separate pursuit in the West Valley involving a reckless driver near Van Nuys Airport. That chase started at slower speeds, around 45 mph, and ended with both the driver and passenger taken into custody as well.
Two pursuits in one night is a lot for any patrol shift, but at least this one gave viewers a story they will not soon forget, gas station stop and all.
Our Take
If you’re going to start a high-speed chase with the police, maybe make sure you have a full tank of gas first.
One comment joked: “Pasadena is the most expensive place to get gas he must of really needed that.”
In all seriousness, I doubt this driver would have gotten away even if he didn’t stop to get gas. Chargers are fast, but not fast enough to beat a helicopter.