CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A Clearlake man was arrested Thursday night after he led police on a brief vehicle chase and, in doing so, crashed into another vehicle, causing injuries.

Eric V. Sagadin, 30, of Clearlake was arrested for allegedly driving the vehicle, according to Sgt. Martin Snyder of the Clearlake Police Department.

On Thursday just before 10 p.m. Officer Alan Collier was on patrol conducting traffic enforcement in the area of 23rd Avenue in the city of Clearlake, Snyder reported.

While patrolling, Collier noticed a Dodge truck driving recklessly, with Collier noticing other vehicle code violations as well, Snyder said.

The truck was traveling south on Irving Avenue, Snyder said. At one point prior to Collier attempting to stop the pickup, the officer saw the vehicle make an unsafe turn at a high rate of speed in the area of Irving Avenue and 23rd Avenue, causing the vehicle to slide out of control nearly striking a residential fence. Snyder said the Dodge truck backed away from the fence then sped away at a high rate of speed.

Snyder said Officer Collier attempted to conduct a traffic enforcement stop on the Dodge truck and the vehicle accelerated at a high rate of speed in an obvious attempt to evade the officer.

The vehicle continued fleeing from Collier, traveling southbound on Boyles Avenue in disregard for public safety, Snyder said.

As the vehicle approached the intersection of Boyles Avenue and 18th Avenue, it failed to slow down or stop for the posted stop sign at the intersection, Snyder said.

As the Dodge truck sped through the intersection, it collided with a 2002 Chevrolet Tracker that was traveling westbound on 18th Avenue. Snyder said the Dodge struck the passenger side door of the Chevrolet Tracker, causing both vehicles to come to a stop.  

He said from the time Collier attempted to stop the vehicle to the time of the collision was less than 60 seconds.

Officers immediately requested rescue personnel from the Lake County Fire Protection District to the scene. Snyder said there were two adult females and one 5-month-old male child located by officers inside the Chevrolet Tracker.

The adult female driver and her 5-month-old son were transported to St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake for precautionary measures and later released, Snyder said.

He said the second female passenger sustained major injuries and was flown via air ambulance to Santa Rosa Memorial hospital where she is listed in stable condition at this time.

Sagadin, the driver of the Dodge truck, was arrested on scene by officers, Snyder said.

Additionally, a female passenger in the Dodge truck, 21-year-old Clearlake resident Halie Askew, was detained on scene. Snyder said it was discovered during the investigation that she was the registered owner of the Dodge truck.

Sagadin initially stated his accelerator stuck. However in later interviews he admitted to officers that he did not have a driver license and fled because he was scared. The vehicle was secured for an inspection by the California Highway patrol, Snyder said.

The intersection of 18th Avenue and Boyles Avenue was closed down for approximately four hours, pending processing of the scene. Snyder said the California Highway Patrol was requested to the scene to assist with the traffic collision investigation.

Eric Sagadin was later booked into the Lake County Jail for felony evasion, causing great bodily injury, driving on a suspended driver license and other violations of the California Vehicle Code. Jail records showed his bail was set at $100,000.

He’s due to appear in court Wednesday, April 3, and jail records indicated he remained in custody on Friday afternoon.

Halie Askew was released on scene pending review of criminal charges by the Lake County District Attorney’s Office. Snyder said charges will be sought against Askew due to information discovered that she knowingly allowed an unlicensed driver to drive her vehicle in addition to having false registration tabs on the vehicle.

Snyder said alcohol does not appear to be a factor in this investigation.

Anyone with information in regard to this investigation is encouraged to contact Officer Alan Collier at the Clearlake Police Department, 707-994-8251, Extension 505.