Trucker Suspected of Evading Officers
A 25-year-old Tennessee truck driver was arrested on suspicion of evading police officers after he ran across the busy Ventura Freeway just before noon Thursday, authorities said.
California Highway Patrol Officer Dave Webb said Charles Hartsfield was driving southbound on the freeway when he pulled off to the shoulder just north of Camarillo Springs Road and dialed 911 from a roadside call box.
He told authorities he had illegal drugs and wanted a patrol car to inspect his tractor-trailer, Webb said.
When officers arrived they had trouble locating Hartsfield. Once they spotted him, Webb said, Hartsfield bolted into freeway traffic and onto the center divider. Officers chased him and a struggle ensued, Webb said. Authorities stopped southbound traffic for about 20 minutes before arresting Hartsfield.
Webb said police dogs searched the man’s truck but found no drugs. Hartsfield was taken to Ventura County Jail and would be given a mental evaluation, Webb said.
He did not know what kind of cargo the truck was transporting.
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