Southwest Riverside drivers who were on the northbound I-15 experienced gridlock as the freeway was closed Sunday as a result of a police chase that started with San Diego Police (SDPD) and was then aided by CHP, according to the San Diego Police Communications Department. In the northbound lanes of Interstate 15, north of State Route 76, in Fallbrook, a full freeway closure occurred Sunday morning, Aug. 3, and all traffic was diverted onto SR 76 and Old Hwy 395. The route was in gridlock as authorities detained a suspect and cleared the scene. The closure prompted a SIG alert and major traffic delays.
The incident began around 10:46 a.m. after the SDPD called on CHP to assist in a chase of a suspect, whose identity has not been released. The suspect was believed to have taken keys from a park bench under clothing, suggesting a prior incident involving theft. At 11:09 a.m.. The keys had been taken from the Claremont Recreation Center at 4421 Bannock Avenue in San Diego. The vehicle, a white Dodge Challenger, was then seen driving up the I-15 when the California Highway Patrol issued a SIG alert for all lanes. By 10:47 a.m., dispatch had notified Caltrans of the alert, and fire stage units were activated.
At 10:58 a.m., dispatch indicated a vehicle had exited the freeway off-ramp going the wrong way to get out of traffic. CHP began diverting traffic off the highway via SR-76. Twenty-two vehicles heading northbound were seen attempting to exit going the wrong way, and CHP requested additional support from traffic control units.
A significant breakthrough came at 11:00 a.m., when officers confirmed that there were no weapons in the vehicle. This was reaffirmed by 11:03 a.m., when CHP advised there were no weapons or items that posed a threat to officer safety inside the vehicle.
Officers deployed pepper balls during the arrest. One of the vehicle’s occupants experienced irritation from the chemical irritant and was evaluated for possible medical clearance. The driver remained cooperative, and no other occupants were found in the vehicle.
At 11:18 a.m., traffic remained heavily backed up to Lilac Road, with CHP coordinating efforts to reroute drivers and prevent vehicles from turning around on their own. Authorities worked quickly to stage a tow, and the roadway was cleared by 11:27 a.m.
By 11:33 a.m., all lanes were reopened and the SIG alert was canceled.
Authorities confirmed no injuries occurred apart from minor irritation caused by the pepper ball deployment. No weapons were recovered.
