NHP: Reno man faces multiple charges after fleeing traffic stop, crashes vehicle
A Reno man who was pulled over for a traffic stop Monday afternoon on I-580 south of Mt. Rose Highway, and then fled in his vehicle from a Nevada Highway Patrol trooper faces multiple charges after crashing the vehicle and fleeing on foot.
Billy Joe Williamson II was arrested taken to the Washoe County Jail and booked for charges associated with the chase, including suspicion of speeding, disobeying a police officer, driving with a revoked license due to previous DUI, possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to maintain a travel lane and a misdemeanor warrant.
According to NHP Trooper Duncan Dauber, the incident began Monday, 3:25pm, when a trooper was patrolling northbound I-580 south of Mt Rose Highway and made a traffic stop on a green Hyundai Elantra for speed, 80 mph in a posted 70mph zone. Once stopped, the trooper approached the vehicle. Upon approach of the vehicle, the Williamson fled the traffic stop by driving away.
The trooper returned to his vehicle and caught up to the Hyundai that was now traveling at speeds of approximately 100 mph northbound on I-580. The Hyundai attempted to take the northbound I-580 Mt. Rose Highway off ramp. Traveling at speeds too fast to negotiate the off ramp, the Hyundai crashed into a concrete roadway barrier and was redirected into the dirt median on the left side of the off ramp.
Williamson, the sole occupant of the vehicle fled the crashed vehicle on foot. He was seen jumping a fence and running into a field in the area of the Ormat Power Plant located to the south east of the intersection with I-580 and Mt. Rose Highway. Verbal commands were being given by troopers and were ignored.
With the assistance of Washoe County Deputies and the Reno Police Department, the driver was located and placed into custody without further incident.