An Ontario couple was arrested on suspicion of using a stolen Dodge van to ram into a sheriff’s patrol vehicle in Lucerne Valley, according to authorities.
At 10:46 p.m. on Friday, deputies spotted a white van traveling nearly 80 mph in a 55 mph zone in a remote area east of Highway 247.
San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies later identified the suspects as driver James Patrick Adamson III, 35, and passenger Kaleigh Anne Morgan, 28.
As deputies tried to catch up to the vehicle, Adamson turned north on Huff Road and turned off the vehicle’s lights. Deputies turned on their emergency lights and siren, but Adamson did not yield and continued to speed north on Huff Road, authorities said.
During the pursuit, deputies saw the van’s rear brake lights illuminate as the vehicle stopped. As the deputies stopped their vehicle and sat inside, Adamson put the van in reverse and slammed into the patrol vehicle, sheriff’s officials said.
Adamson then drove onto private property and continued through the open desert. Deputies would later locate the suspect’s unoccupied van in the desert, authorities said.