A man who crashed a vehicle down a dirt embankment on the 10 Freeway while allegedly fleeing from deputies as the car billowed smoke remains behind bars Friday on suspicion of vehicle theft, officials said.
Dakota Fowler, 23, of Yucaipa was spotted driving a vehicle in an erratic manner around 11 a.m. Thursday in the area of Seminole Drive and Morongo Trail by a deputy from the Cabazon Sheriff’s Station, according to a statement from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
“The deputy attempted to conduct a traffic enforcement stop believing the driver was possibly DUI, when the driver failed to yield,” deputies said. “The driver of the vehicle-maintained highway speeds for approximately two miles when one of the vehicle’s tires flattened, and the engine began to billow smoke.”
Fowler then “intentionally” drove off the roadway into a dirt embankment, where the vehicle hit a dirt berm and became disabled, deputies said. Fowler, along with passenger Misty Laur, 20, of Desert Hot Springs, ran from the disabled vehicle before they were apprehended by deputies.
Following Fowler’s arrest, deputies found that the vehicle was stolen from Banning, deputies said. The vehicle was unreported prior to the chase.
Law enforcement did not comment if Laur was also arrested.
Fowler was booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional facility just after 3 p.m. Thursday, according to jail records. He remains behind bars on $100,000 bail for two felony counts, including vehicle theft and reckless driving.
No injuries were reported during the chase or subsequent crash.