Just before 9:30am Wednesday morning, November 11th, officers of the Eureka Police Department were dispatched to a Eureka hotel regarding a reported assault. The Reporting Party described and stated that a male had just been witnessed assaulting a female.
Upon arrival, officers located the involved parties. The male was seated in a black Chevrolet Impala. Officers attempted to detain the male as part of the assault investigation, but the male refused to comply with commands or exit the vehicle. The male then fled the scene in the Chevrolet Impala. Officers pursued the suspect southbound on Broadway. When the pursuit reached a 4 way intersection, the suspect and lead pursuing Eureka Police Department vehicle made it through the intersection, however the second pursuing Eureka Police Department vehicle was involved in a collision with an uninvolved motorist.
Due to the collision, the initial pursuing Eureka Police Department vehicle discontinued the pursuit of the suspect vehicle and returned to the scene of the collision to render aid to the involved parties. The suspect vehicle continued southbound on US Highway 101.
Emergency medical personnel were summoned to the scene to aid both the uninvolved motorist and the officer. Both parties were ultimately transported to St. Joseph Hospital’s Emergency Room for treatment. The California Highway Patrol also responded to the scene to assume primary investigative responsibility for the collision.
The suspect’s Chevrolet Impala was soon located in Fortuna by Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office deputies. The suspect once again fled in the Impala. A pursuit was initiated and the suspect led Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office deputies and CHP officers throughout the Fortuna and Loleta areas and then southbound on Highway 101. The suspect drove in a reckless manner with highway speeds reported to be in excess of 100 MPH.
The suspect’s vehicle was ultimately disabled with the use of a spike strip just south of Scotia. The suspect was quickly taken into custody without further incident by Sheriff’s deputies and CHP officers assisted by law enforcement from other agencies.
The suspect, identified as 35 year old Michael Caleb Reed, was determined to be on active parole out of Bakersfield, CA. Reed was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of domestic violence, evading arrest, felony evading causing injury, resisting arrest and parole violation. Additional charges may also be added as the investigation continues. Reed is not eligible for bail due to his parole status.
The uninvolved motorist was examined and treated at the emergency room for her injuries. The Eureka Police Department extends our best wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured driver and her family. The injured Eureka Police Department officer, Cameron Hooks, sustained moderate to major injuries as a result of the collision. Due to the nature of his injuries, he was flown this afternoon to an out of the area trauma hospital for further treatment. Officer Hooks is in stable condition awaiting surgery.
