Just before midnight, Monday, December 6th, a Crescent City Police Department Officer observed a vehicle towing a trailer that was dragging on the ground and emitting sparks.
A traffic stop was attempted on the vehicle on Northcrest Drive, as it was a safety hazard. The driver of the vehicle sped up, in an apparent attempt to evade the Officer.
A short vehicle pursuit ensued, ending approximately a mile further down Northcrest Drive. The suspect, identified as 32 year old Donald Downard, fled the vehicle with it still in drive, and moving forward. The vehicle continued forward until it crashed into a parked and unoccupied vehicle.
Downard was then located hiding behind a residence by the Crescent City Police Officer and Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office Deputies who had responded to assist.
During the investigation Downard was also found to be over the legal limit of alcohol while driving a motor vehicle and was arrested and booked into the Del Norte County Jail for being under the influence while operating a motor vehicle, obstructing/resisting a peace officer in the performance of their duties, Hit and Run causing property damage, driving while suspended, evading a peace officer, and for two outstanding Arrest Warrants.
