Ceres fire official helps nab DUI suspect by following car for 25 miles
CERES, Nov 03, 2012 (Menafn - The Modesto Bee - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --The Ceres Fire Department's deputy chief followed a suspected drunk driver who nearly ran into him for 25 miles until the California Highway Patrol caught up with him Friday afternoon.
Bryan Nicholes was on his way back to Ceres from the regional fire training center in Modesto about 3:40 p.m. He was driving south on Highway 99 near Crows Landing Road when the driver of a black Volvo station wagon swerved around him, nearly hitting him and several other cars in the area.
Nicholes radioed a dispatcher about the driver; the dispatcher had already received several other calls from concerned drivers on the highway.
The closest CHP officer was near Briggsmore Avenue, so Nicholes said he would follow the driver until an officer could catch up with them.
But the Volvo was moving at 75 to 85 mph, Nicholes said, and swerving across all three lanes of traffic as it headed south. The Volvo was going too fast for the Modesto CHP officer to catch up, so Merced CHP was alerted.
Nicholes said he activated the amber light on the back of his fire vehicle so the CHP officer could spot him and to alert surrounding drivers.
The Volvo continued to weave through traffic while Nicholes followed and watched as it nearly hit about 18 other cars.
"It's a miracle he didn't hit anyone," Nicholes said. "He went off on the shoulder one time, kicking up dirt in the air."
It wasn't until the driver was south of Livingston that a CHP officer got behind the Volvo and pulled it over at Bellevue Road.
Nicholes pulled over to talk to the officer before heading back to Ceres.
The Volvo driver, whose name was not available Friday evening, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
Bee staff writer Erin Tracy can be reached at etracy@modbee.com or (209) 578-2366.
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