NHP names suspect in Saturday's stolen vehicle pursuit that started in Carson City
The Nevada Highway Patrol has named the suspect in Saturday's stolen vehicle pursuit that started in Carson City and ended with a crash near the Galena Bridge on Interstate 580 in Washoe County.
Dakota Wenford Howell, 25, of Carson City was arrested on multiple charges following the incident. According to NHP Trooper Matt McLaughlin, on Saturday Dec. 8, at around 5:45 p.m. Nevada Highway Patrol troopers were notified of a vehicle pursuit on northbound Interstate 580 in Carson City.
The Carson City Sheriff’s Office had been in pursuit of a stolen black Hyundai Elantra sedan northbound on Interstate 580 in Washoe Valley toward Reno, which they had discontinued pursuing.
Several minutes later, NHP troopers were advised of a single vehicle crash in the area of Interstate 580 on the Galena Bridge. The vehicle that had crashed matched the description of the vehicle that had previously been pursued in Washoe Valley.
Upon arrival, troopers were advised that the driver of the stolen vehicle had fled the scene of the crash. Multiple agencies searched the area for the driver, who was described as a male adult with a thin build, wearing dark clothing and a black backpack.
At approximately 7:50 p.m., a passerby advised NHP dispatch that a pedestrian wearing all black clothing with a black backpack was observed on the southbound side of the Galena Bridge.
NHP Troopers and deputies from the Carson City Sheriff’s office contacted the pedestrian who was hiding behind a concrete traffic barrier. The male subject matched the description provided by multiple witnesses to the crash and was positively identified as Howell, the fleeing driver by a Carson City Sheriff’s Department sergeant involved in the pursuit.
Troopers located a loaded .38 caliber revolver inside the suspect’s backpack and a knife on Howell's hip.
Howell was transported to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and booked on the following charges: driver disobey police officer, hit and run causing property damage, reckless driving, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, fail to maintain travel lane, failure to report crash to law enforcement, carrying a concealed firearm without a permit and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.