U-Haul Driven Into Oncoming Highway Traffic Twice During East Bay Police Chase

ORINDA (CBS SF) -- Someone drove a U-Haul truck into oncoming highway traffic twice during a multi-jurisdictional pursuit across several Contra Costa County cities Thursday, according to the county sheriff's office.

The truck's driver and passenger eventually evaded law enforcement personnel and the vehicle was found abandoned in Orinda, sheriff's officials said.

A man and a woman are being sought in connection with the pursuit, which began with an incident in an Iron Horse Trail parking lot on Rudgear Road near Walnut Creek at 9:29 a.m.

A sheriff's sergeant initially approached the white U-Haul truck when it was unoccupied. While he tried to contact a woman he noticed walking away from the vehicle, a man jumped inside it, sheriff's officials said.

The man started the truck and allegedly drove right at the sergeant, who had to dodge the oncoming vehicle. The woman then ran over to the truck and hopped inside of the passenger seat, according to the sheriff's office.

At the beginning of the ensuing pursuit, the truck's driver attempted to enter Interstate Highway 680 in the wrong direction. Sheriff's officials said exiting vehicles blocked the truck's entry.

The truck then entered the highway's northbound side, but quickly flipped around and began traveling against traffic, sheriff's officials said.  The pursuing sergeant then ended the chase.

Lafayette police picked up the pursuit after spotting the truck speeding on westbound state Highway 24, sheriff's officials said.

The vehicle's driver once more responded by making a U-turn and traveling the opposite direction on the highway. Sheriff's officials said the truck nearly collided with the pursuing police vehicle.

The pursuit was again terminated for safety reasons.

A few hours later, the truck was found unoccupied in a residential neighborhood of Orinda and was towed for evidence purposes, sheriff's officials said.

The multi-jurisdictional pursuit did not result in any reported collisions or injuries.

Sheriff's officials are seeking the public's help in identifying the involved suspects. Anyone with information related to the vehicle's driver or passenger is asked to call (925) 646-2441.

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