A California man who evaded pursuit over a two-county area and then took a wrong turn in the desert was apprehended Tuesday by Churchill County Sheriff deputies north of Fallon.
According to Churchill County Sheriff Richard Hickox, the Nevada Highway Patrol began pursuing a Honda Accord in Pershing County with the driver, identified as Daniel Gomez Rodriguez, heading west toward Trinity Junction on Interstate 80. The NHP reported the vehicle, which is registered in California, had a flat tire, but Rodriguez refused to stop. Hickox said the driver began traveling south on U.S. Highway 95 toward Fallon.
“The NHP set up spikes at the railroad crossing (south of Trinity Junction) and was successful in having the Honda run over the spike deflating another tire; however the Honda continued to travel south at varying speeds,” Hickox said in a statement.
Hickox said Rodriguez was speeding more than 70 miles per hour and periodically veered into the other lane, having missed a semitruck traveling north. He said Rodriguez avoided additional spike strips. After Rodriguez turned west into the desert, Hickox said the vehicle became stuck in deep sand, overheated and began to smoke. Hickox said deputies pulled Rodriguez from the Honda before the vehicle became fully engulfed in flames.
“Members of the Fallon Churchill Volunteer Fire Department responded and extinguished the flames before they could spread,” Hickox said.
Rodriguez was taken to Banner Churchill Community Hospital and once released, he was booked into the Churchill County Detention Center on felony charges of evading, eluding and failing to stop for a law enforcement officer, gross misdemeanor charges including reckless driving and misdemeanor charges of basic speed and resisting a peace officer. His bail was set at slightly more than $7,200.
Hickox said no officers nor public were injured.
Hickox thanked the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office, NHP, Fallon Police Department, Banner medics and the fire department for their assistance.
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