Chase across Stanislaus County puts man in hospital

A man who led law officers on a high-speed chase from Modesto through Salida and rural western Stanislaus County ended up in a hospital, awaiting booking on several felony charges.

The pursuit Tuesday evening lasted about 20 minutes and reached speeds in excess of 100 mph, according to Stanislaus County sheriff's deputy Andrew Winter.

It began over a traffic infraction just before 9 p.m. when the driver turned west onto Pelandale Avenue from the In-N-Out Burger parking lot, crossing a solid double yellow line.

A deputy attempted a traffic stop but the driver kept going, turning onto northbound Highway 99. The deputy followed the driver north of Salida, where he exited at Hammett Road.

Winter said the suspect crossed over the freeway, drove west on Ciccarelli Road, then took a dirt road through orchards to get to Kiernan Avenue. From there he drove along several canal banks, making a loop to return to Kiernan, where the California Highway Patrol took over the pursuit.

The chase snaked south to Maze Boulevard, where spike strips were put in place at Gates Road, Winter said.

The strips ripped holes in three of the suspect's tires, but he traveled two miles west on Maze to the Mape's Ranch area where the road runs parallel to the San Joaquin River.

The suspect abandoned the car and jumped into the river, Winter said.

Police dog used in search

Deputies in the Sheriff's Department helicopter searched from above while deputies and a police dog named Cody searched the ground.

The helicopter's infrared cameras found the suspect on the south bank, so deputies called the Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District for a boat, Winter said.

Cody and his handler got into the boat and crossed to the other side. Cody spotted the suspect, and the man was apprehended at 11:30 p.m.

During the arrest, the suspect was injured, although Winter would not say how. The man was taken to Doctors Medical Center in Modesto, where he remained Wednesday afternoon.

The suspect, Steven Bawner, is facing charges of felony evading, resisting arrests and reckless driving. He will be booked at the Stanislaus County Jail once he is released from the hospital, Winter said.

Winter said deputies don't know why the man chose to flee.

Bee staff writer Erin Tracy can be reached at etracy@modbee.com or (209) 578-2366.