Dump truck leads CHP on wild chase in Riverside, San Diego counties

The driver of a big-rig dump truck who led the California Highway Patrol on a high-speed chase through Riverside and San Diego counties Tuesday afternoon was arrested after he stopped at a gas station near Mira Mesa.

The chase ended without incident after he bailed from the cab of the truck and ran inside the station, where he was arrested a short time later.

With a group of CHP cruisers following it, the truck raced south on the 15 Freeway then got off on California 74 and headed into Lake Elisnore shortly after it was reported stolen.

The chase started shortly after authorities received a call at 12:41 p.m. that a vehicle was stolen from Jurupa Valley, Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputy Albert Martinez told KNBC.

After driving through parts of Lake Elsinore, the truck reentered the 15 Freeway and entered San Diego County.

The truck got off the freeway near Pala and drove through a gas station before reentering the southbound 15.

It appeared that only the driver, a man, was inside, according to TV footage.

It was not clear what prompted the chase. KNBC reported that the truck might have been stolen.

At multiple points during the chase, the truck’s metal container was raised and lowered, according to video aired by the station.

CHP Officer Rich Murrieta told KNBC that attempting a PIT maneuver was not an option, given the truck’s size, apparently leaving a spike strip as the only action available to officers, unless the driver gave up or the ran out of fuel.

There was no immediate information on the driver’s identity.