SR-25
02-15-2006, 08:33 AM
BY PAULA M. FELIPE/Public Safety Reporter
The shooting of a wanted parolee by a California Highway Patrolman following a high-speed chase on Highway 99 Sunday night is being investigated.
The suspect, Lennie Merle Woodral, 19, of Modesto was booked into the Butte County Jail and charged with felony reckless evading, driving under the Influence of alcohol and/or drugs; reckless driving; possession of a controlled substance; vehicle theft; and possession of stolen property (the vehicle), according to the CHP.
About midnight, Sutter County Sheriff's deputies attempted to stop a stolen 1992 Chevrolet Suburban on Live Oak Boulevard at Queens in Yuba City, the CHP said.
Woodral fled and a pursuit ensued which included units from the California Highway Patrol. After traveling around in some circles on Yuba City streets, the pursuit continued northbound on Highway 99 up to speeds of 80 mph.
Two spike stripes were deployed and all of the tires were deflated on the suspect's vehicle, CHP said. The suspect continued to travel on the rims at an unsafe speed and into oncoming traffic, causing several other vehicles to be forced off the roadway.
The pursuit ended after patrol officers made several attempts to immobilize the vehicle, and a CHP officer discharged his weapon at the suspect, who sustained a superficial wound, according to a CHP press release.
Due to the aggressive and unsafe driving actions of the suspect, a Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) was initiated by Oroville CHP officers, said the CHP report. The PIT refers to a tactic used by the CHP which involves tapping the rear of the suspect's vehicle with a CHP cruiser in an attempt to "spin him out of control," explained Officer Steve Garcia, public information officer.
The CHP reported the suspect's vehicle was immobilized for a few seconds before he again fled from law enforcement. Another PIT by patrol officers completely immobilized the vehicle on Highway 99 just north of the Butte-Sutter county line.
As the suspect was being ordered from the vehicle, an unidentified CHP officer discharged his weapon, striking the suspect and causing a superficial wound. No details about the shooting were available.
"This is under investigation by the Butte County Sheriff's Office," said Garcia. "The CHP is also conducting an investigation."
Woodral was transported to Rideout Hospital where he was treated and released for the minor injury. He was then taken and booked into the Butte County Jail.
The officer involved in the shooting was placed on administrative leave pending completion of the investigation.
Bail hasn't been granted.
http://chicoer.com/oroville/ci_3509875
The shooting of a wanted parolee by a California Highway Patrolman following a high-speed chase on Highway 99 Sunday night is being investigated.
The suspect, Lennie Merle Woodral, 19, of Modesto was booked into the Butte County Jail and charged with felony reckless evading, driving under the Influence of alcohol and/or drugs; reckless driving; possession of a controlled substance; vehicle theft; and possession of stolen property (the vehicle), according to the CHP.
About midnight, Sutter County Sheriff's deputies attempted to stop a stolen 1992 Chevrolet Suburban on Live Oak Boulevard at Queens in Yuba City, the CHP said.
Woodral fled and a pursuit ensued which included units from the California Highway Patrol. After traveling around in some circles on Yuba City streets, the pursuit continued northbound on Highway 99 up to speeds of 80 mph.
Two spike stripes were deployed and all of the tires were deflated on the suspect's vehicle, CHP said. The suspect continued to travel on the rims at an unsafe speed and into oncoming traffic, causing several other vehicles to be forced off the roadway.
The pursuit ended after patrol officers made several attempts to immobilize the vehicle, and a CHP officer discharged his weapon at the suspect, who sustained a superficial wound, according to a CHP press release.
Due to the aggressive and unsafe driving actions of the suspect, a Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) was initiated by Oroville CHP officers, said the CHP report. The PIT refers to a tactic used by the CHP which involves tapping the rear of the suspect's vehicle with a CHP cruiser in an attempt to "spin him out of control," explained Officer Steve Garcia, public information officer.
The CHP reported the suspect's vehicle was immobilized for a few seconds before he again fled from law enforcement. Another PIT by patrol officers completely immobilized the vehicle on Highway 99 just north of the Butte-Sutter county line.
As the suspect was being ordered from the vehicle, an unidentified CHP officer discharged his weapon, striking the suspect and causing a superficial wound. No details about the shooting were available.
"This is under investigation by the Butte County Sheriff's Office," said Garcia. "The CHP is also conducting an investigation."
Woodral was transported to Rideout Hospital where he was treated and released for the minor injury. He was then taken and booked into the Butte County Jail.
The officer involved in the shooting was placed on administrative leave pending completion of the investigation.
Bail hasn't been granted.
http://chicoer.com/oroville/ci_3509875