Reckless High-Speed Victorville Pursuit Ends in Crash Causing Multiple Injuries

Staff Writer

Friday, April 7th, 2017

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ADELANTO – A pursuit that ended in a crash, injuring both adults and children on Friday afternoon stated in the City of Victorville near Hesperia Road and Center Street.

At around 1:24 p.m. a deputy from the Victorville station attempted to stop a black 2000 Ford Crown Victoria registered out of the City of Upland. The driver of the vehicle failed to yield causing a pursuit. The driver went southbound on Hesperia Road at speeds in excess of 85 mph. The male suspect ignored all signals, even driving through oncoming traffic and cutting through lanes. The pursuit ran into heavy traffic as they went through Nisqualli Road causing the driver to travel through the desert area.

He continued southbound on Seventh Avenue near area schools that just dismissed the children for the day. The suspect ran red lights and disregarded the safety of other drivers while attempting to evade following deputies. The suspect entered the northbound freeway traveling at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. Several times the deputy said that the suspect lost control, but regained it before exiting Palmdale Road.

The suspect exited the freeway heading westbound through heavy eastbound traffic. The Sheriff’s helicopter was called to assist in the pursuit, but was delayed for a short time prior to arriving. The suspect nearly struck several vehicles throughout the pursuit and crashed, but continued on Amethyst and Palmdale Roads toward CA-395. This collision only caused damage and no injuries were reported as a result of the collision. “This guy was absolutely dangerous,” said witness Betsy Miller. “He flew by a bunch of us parents waiting for our kid’s school bus and parked in a residential neighborhood. He did not slow down and nearly collided with our cars trying to avoid the several police cars that tried to block him. Then he cut thru the Lutheran Church school lot where children were getting out for the day.”

The vehicle went northbound on CA-395 through moderate traffic at high speeds as deputies followed closely behind. Patrol units were ordered to stop pursuing the vehicle and allow air units to continue to follow per scanner traffic. The vehicle temporarily left the roadway on Air Expressway just east of CA-395 striking a silver Honda Civic from behind. A white late-90’s Dodge Ram struck the back side of the suspect vehicle. The driver exited the vehicle and ran toward a large water tank, where he stopped. Deputies quickly located and arrested Thomas Buckner, 18.

Four people were injured including at least two children leading to a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI). All injuries were reported to be minor to moderate. The children were transported to Loma Linda Childrens Hospital for treatment of their injuries and it is unknown where the other patients were transported. The road was closed at CA-395 and Air Expressway both North and South. Air Expressway was closed at CA-395 to Pearmain Road. Adelanto Elementary School District placed the school on lockdown temporarily during the pursuit. The lockdown was lifted at approximately 2:25 p.m.

No further information is available at this time, information will be updated as it is received.

Betsy Miller