(This story has been updated with additional information.)
A man was ejected from a car and suffered major injuries in a three-vehicle wreck shortly after eluding deputies in Apple Valley on Thursday afternoon, law enforcement officials said.
Two other drivers suffered minor injuries in the crash, which took place about 3:20 p.m. March 19 at Central Road and Ramona Avenue, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
It occurred after a 34-year-old Bryan Snyder of Apple Valley drove east on Ramona Avenue “at a high rate of speed” blew through a stop sign at Central Road without stopping and was hit on the driver’s side by a Jeep Wrangler traveling south on Central Road, sheriff’s officials said in a written statement.
“The impact caused the Kia to split into two sections,” according to the statement. “The Kia continued eastbound and collided with an occupied parked Kia sedan, pushing it east.”
Officials said the driver of the Kia was thrown from the vehicle in the impact and was hospitalized with major injuries, sheriff’s department spokeswoman Taylor Reynolds said.
The other two drivers were treated for minor injuries, she said.
“Prior to and unrelated to the traffic collision, the driver of the Kia K5, Bryan Snyder, had evaded deputies who were attempting to conduct a traffic stop,” the statement said.
During the chase, Snyder “reached speeds of over 100 miles per hour and ran stop signs,” sheriff’s officials stated. Deputies lost sight of the Kia and cancelled the pursuit at Quinnault Road and Jelan Avenue.
“Shortly thereafter, Sheriff’s Dispatch notified units of a traffic collision at the intersection of Central Road and Ramona Avenue,” according to a sheriff’s department statement.
The intersection was shut down for about eight hours due to the investigation.
Search warrant leads to drug, gun seizure
A search of the Kia turned up drugs and cash, sheriff’s officials said.
“To continue the investigation, deputies authored a search warrant for a residence in the 18000 block of Otomian Road, that was found to be related to Snyder,” the statement said. “Deputies located approximately one kilogram of suspected cocaine, and four firearms.”
Snyder remained hospitalized.
It was unclear what charges he may ultimately face once released from medical care.
Any witnesses, or anyone with information, can reach the Apple Valley Police Department at (760) 240-7400, or Sheriff’s Dispatch at (760) 956-5001. Information may also be provided anonymously to the WeTip hotline at (844) 909-3006.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Driver triggers 3-vehicle wreck after fleeing from deputies in Apple Valley
Reporting by Brian Day, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
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