A pre-dawn police chase in Redding ended on Sunday when a driver with false plates fled a traffic stop and drove into the Sacramento River near Caldwell Park. Police identified the driver as 38-year-old Michael Smith, who was pulled from the water and taken to a hospital for evaluation.
After being treated, Smith was booked into the Shasta County Jail. Police ask anyone with information to contact the Redding Police Department at (530) 225-4200, according to the California Department of Boating and Waterways.
How the 3 a.m. Chase Spun Into the River
Officers tried to pull over a vehicle at about 3 a.m. near Bonnyview Avenue and North Bonnyview Road after spotting what they say were false license plates and a driver who gave a false name. According to police, the car suddenly accelerated and swerved toward a responding patrol unit, kicking off a pursuit that ended near the Caldwell Park boat ramp.
Four people were in the vehicle, and officers interviewed and released two female passengers at the scene. The driver, identified as Michael Smith, and a male passenger bolted into the Sacramento River, floating east toward the diversion dam near the fish ladder before Smith made it to shore and was taken into custody, as reported by Action News Now.
Busy River Trail, Big Public Scene
The Sacramento River Trail and the connected parks around Turtle Bay and Caldwell Park are popular spots for walking, biking, and boating, so police activity there tends to draw quick attention from early-morning regulars.
Local guides and the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy note that the trail features multiple river access points and boat ramps that are used throughout the year, which can complicate law enforcement responses when an investigation spills from the street to the shoreline.
What Police Say Happens Next
Redding Police told Action News Now that search efforts would continue along the river corridor as officers followed up on the incident. Anyone with tips or additional information is urged to contact the Redding Police Department at (530) 225-4200.
