Two Arrested Following Barstow High-Speed Chase and Foot Pursuit

Man Tossed From Vehicle & Struck by Big Rig After Driver Attempts to Pass on Shoulder

Traffic Collision on 1-15 Near Nipton Kills Passenger and Badly Injures Driver

BARSTOW, Ca. – A Barstow and a Highland man were arrested for leading Barstow police on a high-speed chase, followed by a foot pursuit on Saturday morning.

Police officials said that at around 10:22 a.m. authorities recognized a Barstow man who was wanted for Felony Evading in the area of Second Avenue and Main Street. The man, 27-year-old James Finnigan was driving his gray Ford Explorer. The officers attempted to stop the vehicle but Finnigan fled at a high rate of speed, westbound on Main Street. The officers pursued Finnigan to Fourth and Ash Streets, where the occupants inside the Ford SUV tossed a loaded 12-gauge shotgun from the vehicle and continued fleeing on Main Street and then southbound on Lenwood Road.

Finnigan continued on Lenwood Road and got onto the 15 freeway south, but left the on-rampe attempting to flee into the desert area. The vehicle got stuck near the wash and he and his passenger fled away from the vehicle on foot. The officers caught Pedro Martinez, the 24-year-old passenger. Finnigan was able to flee under the 15 freeway and hid nearby at the Lenwood Denny’s restroom.

James Finnigan was booked at the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Barstow Jail for Felony Evading and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Pedro Martinez was booked at the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department High Desert Detention Center for Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Probation Violation, and Resisting Executive Officers.