Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

 On Aug. 28 at about 12:26 a.m. A Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputy on patrol around the Blue Lake Casino observed a motorcycle fail to stop at a stop sign near Chartin Rd, and Casino Way in Blue Lake. 

 

The deputy activated his emergency lights and attempted a traffic stop on the motorcycle. The driver of the motorcycle failed to yield to the deputy and continued driving toward the Blue Lake Blvd., onto westbound Blue Lake Blvd. and continued driving towards Glendale Dr.

 

As the deputy continued to pursue the motorcycle on Glendale Dr. with his lights and siren activated it continued at a high rate of speed westbound Glendale Dr and drove into the opposite lane of traffic. The deputy terminated the pursuit as it entered State Hwy 299 at Essex Lane traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes 

 

A short time later, deputies located the motorcycle on Giuntoli Ln at Heindon Rd. in Arcata and re-initiated the pursuit. The motorcycle fled on Mad River Road and drove across the Hammond Foot Bridge towards McKinleyville. Deputies searched the area but were unable to locate the motorcycle. 

 

A deputy called The Heights Casino in Trinidad and spoke to casino security who advised a motorcycle matching the description and with the same license plate had just arrived and the rider was still sitting on it. 

 

Deputies responded to the casino and took the rider, 32-year-old, James Luther Vernon Williams, of McKinleyville into custody with the assistance of the California Highway Patrol. He was transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility and booked on the following charges:

 

  • V.C. 2800.2(A) Evading a Peace Officer with Willful and Wanton Disregard for Safety
  • V.C. 2800.4 Evading a Peace Officer by Driving in the Opposite Lane of Traffic
  • V.C. 23152(A) Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
  • V.C. 23152 (B) Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (BAC) 0.08%
  • V.C. 14601.2(A) Driving with a Suspended Driver’s License

This case is still under investigation.

 

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the California Highway Patrol for their assistance with this case.

 

Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.

 

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