High Speed Chase Out of Phillipsville Ends with Tasering Near Salmon Creek

Humboldt Co. Sheriff’s Dept. Press Release:

On 06-25-2012, approximately 11:00 p.m. two Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Deputies received a call of disturbance at the Phillipsville Trailer Park, Phillipsville. When the deputies arrived, they parked their patrol car to determine where the disturbance was occurring. While parked near the park, they heard loud music coming from a 2003 Blue Dodge Pickup Truck. The truck was idling near by and then drove off. As the truck drove southbound onto State Route 254, it drove into the northbound traffic lane. The deputies conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. After the car pulled off to the side of the road, and as the deputies were exiting their patrol car, Sheriff’s Office dispatch notified them the truck was reported stolen from Santa Rosa, California. At that same moment the pickup truck suddenly sped away at a high rate of speed south on Highway 254. The deputies pursued the truck which traveled onto Highway 101 northbound and reached speeds of up to 100 miles per hour crossing the double yellow line at various times during the pursuit. There was very little traffic on the highway at the time of the pursuit.

As the truck reached the Salmon creek Exit, it took the turn off and attempted to negotiate the corner but failed running into the embankment. The driver exited the truck and fled on foot while the truck was still rolling, he was carrying an object in his hand. The deputies chased after the driver through the brush. The deputies ordered the driver out of the brush while ordering the driver to show them his hands and get on the ground. The driver refused and came towards the officers, while refusing to follow their commands, which included showing them his hands. The deputies deployed a Taser which made the suspect fall to the ground; however the suspect continued to fight and violently resist the deputies. The deputies utilized their baton on the suspect which allowed them to handcuff the suspect.

The suspect was identified as Timothy James Vivian, 44 years from Rohnert Park, California. Upon searching the stolen truck deputies located four large zip lock bags of processed marijuana, and a six inch long knife. Vivian told the deputies he fled and behaved the way he did because he was trying to “train them”. Vivian was transported to a local hospital where he was medically cleared.

Deputies learned Vivian was on active parole. He was arrested for felony evasion, resisting arrest, driving under the influence, possession of stolen property, violation of state parole and transportation of marijuana. He was transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where he was being held without bail.