Chaos ensued on the 15 Freeway through the Cajon Pass as a pursuit spanning several cities culminated Monday evening with gunfire and an individual taken into custody. The incident caused traffic disruptions well into Tuesday morning. According to KTLA, San Bernardino County deputies engaged in the chase following a robbery in Hesperia at approximately 8:45 p.m., with the suspect reportedly considered armed and dangerous.
SBCO: NB I-15 at SR-138 in Cajon Pass. All lanes blocked due to police activity. Unknown duration of reopening. Delay travel if able. #Caltrans8 pic.twitter.com/CVHRUywoCg
— Caltrans District 8 (@Caltrans8) October 15, 2024
Having sped through the streets at over 120 mph and evaded law enforcement, multiple Precision Immobilization Techniques, or PIT maneuvers, were necessary to hinder the driver's progress along the 15 Freeway. Per KTLA, it was ultimately the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department deputies who brought the vehicle to a final stop near Highway 138 with additional maneuvers and strategic blocking.
Despite eventually being boxed in, the suspect proved resolute, refusing to surrender immediately. "A lethal force encounter occurred. Nothing further," stated the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, as reported by ABC7. The individual was transported from the scene by ambulance, and no deputies were reported injured in the ordeal.
As the probe continued, the California Highway Patrol advised against travel through the area, noting heavy traffic impact. As detailed by CBS Los Angeles, southbound lanes reopened a quarter of an hour later, but northbound lanes faced obstructions with no clear indication of when they would be fully functional.
