UPDATE:
Press release with more details from Eureka Police Department:

On 1-10-19 at 9:42 pm, officers of the Eureka Police Department were dispatched to the 2200 block of Harrison Ave for a carjacking that had just occurred.

Upon arrival the officers contacted the victim, the victim explained that he had met two males at a local bar and gave them a ride to the 2200 block of Harrison Ave. Once there, the two men assaulted the victim with a taser style flash light and possibly brass knuckles. The men pulled the victim from the vehicle and drove off in the vehicle, northbound on Harrison Ave.

A short time later, officers located the stolen vehicle driving near the intersection of Myrtle and Hoover Streets. A traffic stop was attempted near West and Tydd Streets, however the vehicle fled and a short pursuit followed. Once the vehicle reached Highway 101, it accelerated to speeds in excess of 90 mph and also began weaving in and out of vehicle traffic. Due to the speeds, unsafe driving, and threat to the other vehicles on the roadway, the pursuit was terminated.

Minutes later, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) located the vehicle traveling northbound on 101 and began pursuing it. When the pursuit reached the area of Patrick’s Point, the vehicle crashed. The vehicle was found to be occupied by only one suspect and he had sustained significant injuries. The suspect was transported to Mad River Hospital for treatment of the injuries sustained in the collision. His identity has not yet been confirmed. The second suspect in the carjacking is still at large and his identity remains unknown.

The victim was treated and released for moderate injuries sustained during the commission of the crime. This is an ongoing investigation and further details will be released as they become available. Once the identity of the suspect in custody is confirmed, it will be released.

Anyone with information regarding this incident or the identity of the second suspect is urged to contact the Eureka Police Department at 707-441-4060. The Eureka Police Department would like to remind citizens to be cautious when allowing strangers into their homes or vehicles. This can be quite dangerous, especially due to the intimate setting and proximity of persons during these situations.

###

California Highway Patrol press release:

On January 10, 2018, at approximately 947 PM, the Humboldt Area California Highway Patrol (CHP) received notification from the Eureka Police Department (EPD) that they were involved in a pursuit of a blue 2014 Jeep Cherokee which was “car-jacked” by two suspects in front of General Hospital in Eureka.

EPD discontinued the pursuit north of Eureka. CHP units located the Jeep traveling at a high rate of speed on US-101, north of Bayside Rd. The CHP units attempted to make a stop on the Jeep, however driver failed to yield and continued northbound on US-101 for approximately 22 miles, at times reaching speeds over 100 MPH. As the pursuit reached the Patrick’s Point Drive, the driver began exiting but then turned sharply back to the left and up an embankment. The Jeep overturned several times and came to rest on its wheels. CHP Officers immediately began rendering aid to the driver until emergency medical personnel arrived on scene. The driver, who was not wearing a seatbelt and suffered major injuries, was subsequently transported to Mad River Community Hospital for medical treatment.

 

The Eureka Police Department is handling the original criminal investigation involving the car theft. The California Highway Patrol is handling the vehicle pursuit and collision investigation. The driver had no identification and has not been identified as of the time of this press release. Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact the Humboldt Area CHP at 707-822-5981 or email Humboldt_Area.Humboldt_Area@chp.ca.gov.