A South Sacramento pursuit ended when a suspect crashed into a police vehicle, sparking a car fire. Deputies arrested the driver after he tried to run from the scene
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A late-night attempt to stop a driver for traffic violations in South Sacramento escalated into a police pursuit that ended with a crash involving a patrol vehicle and a car fire, according to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said the incident began around 9 p.m. on Saturday when patrol deputies spotted a vehicle committing multiple traffic violations near 15th Avenue and 42nd Street. When deputies tried to pull the driver over, the vehicle sped away, prompting a pursuit through nearby streets.
Authorities say the driver, later identified as 33-year-old Ricky Harding, turned off the vehicle’s headlights during the chase, apparently attempting to avoid being seen in the dark.
The pursuit took a dangerous turn as the vehicle traveled south on 43rd Street. Investigators say Harding ran a stop sign at 8th Avenue and collided with a patrol vehicle belonging to the Sacramento Police Department.
The impact pushed the patrol car into a residential fence, and the suspect’s vehicle caught fire shortly afterward.
Emergency crews from the Sacramento Fire Department arrived at the scene and extinguished the burning vehicle. Officials said the police officer involved in the crash was not hurt.
Despite the collision and fire, deputies say Harding attempted to run from the scene on foot. He was quickly taken into custody nearby.
After being evaluated and cleared at a local hospital, Harding was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail. Jail records show he is being held on $500,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court March 10.
WATCH ALSO: Elk Grove hit-and-run leaves family grieving; suspect out on bail
ABC10: Watch, Download, Read