On 12/7/16, at approximately 12:45 p.m. a CHP Air Unit was flying overhead in Rio Linda monitoring suspicious activity on Q St. At that time the CHP Air Unit observed a brown Toyota pickup traveling westbound on Q St, heading towards 10th St driving recklessly at high speeds and failing to stop for posted stop signs. Furthermore, the Toyota was driving this way through a school zone with parents out front waiting for their children and children walking to their parents cars. The Air Unit notified a nearby CHP patrol car of the reckless driver and the patrol car was able to quickly get into a position behind the Toyota to pull it over. The CHP officer in the patrol car turned on his emergency lights and siren and attempted to pull over the Toyota. The driver of the Toyota fled westbound on Q St and turned left onto southbound 10th St.
The driver of the Toyota was driving too fast and couldn’t safely negotiate the turn crashing head on into a power pole, severing it at its base, causing power to go out at a nearby house. Two female pedestrians standing on the opposite side of the power pole were struck by flying debris from the crash and received minor injuries.
After the crash the driver exited the Toyota and tried fleeing the scene on foot. The CHP officer was able to quickly run after the fleeing driver, tackling him to the ground where a short fight broke out, the driver using violence in his failed attempt to escape. Eventually, the officer was able to handcuff the driver, placing him under arrest.
While talking to the driver it appeared that he was under the influence of drugs. The driver was identified as Gregory Thomas Ditty, a 24 year old male from Rio Linda. Ditty was taken to Mercy San Juan Hospital where he was medically cleared for booking and was determined to be under the influence of a controlled substance. A probation check revealed that Ditty was also on felony probation for burglary and a driver history check revealed that he was never issued a California Driver License.
Gregory Ditty was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail and charged with violating his probation; misdemeanor resisting arrest; felony child endangerment; felony possession of stolen property; felony using violence against an executive officer; felony evading; felony possession of stolen vehicle; misdemeanor driving without a valid driver license; felony hit and run; felony reckless driving; felony DUI – Drugs.
Any additional information about this news release should be directed to Officer Hertzell who will be available at the CHP North Sacramento Area business phone number: (916) 348-2317, Monday through Friday 8:00 to 5:00 p.m. For urgent matters or to contact after hours you can reach him on his cell at (916) 941-5272. Follow us on Twitter @chpnsac or like us on Facebook.com/chpnorthsac
Photos are courtesy of Michael Bowler.
(This article has been updated with the media release from the CHP 12/08/2016)
