USA police chase big rig driver across California

California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers have arrested a man after chasing a stolen big rig that may contain low-grade hazardous materials, in a dramatic freeway pursuit.

In addition to the CHP officers chasing the big-rig, officers were driving along city roads near the off-ramps in case the driver exited the freeway.

Authorities said the truck was stolen in Barstow.

The truck bears the logo of ACT Enviro, a waste disposal company. CHP officers tell Patch it started at 10:30 a.m. on the I-15 near Jack Rabbit Trail, near the Cajon Pass. He explained that there was a limited flammability risk on the truck but no explosives, radiological hazards or biological hazards.

The driver refused to pull over because he “didn’t want to go back to jail”.

Though the truck is part of a hazardous materials-carrying fleet, it is “one of the least toxic vehicles that could be stolen”, Singer said.

The original driver was with a company response team to retrieve the truck once the chase was over.

The company told Eyewitness News that it was not aware of the pursuit.

The story will be updated as more information becomes available.