CHP Officer Prevents Pursuit Suspect From Jumping Off Freeway Overpass
SAN BERNARDINO (CBSLA.com) — A man armed with a windshield wiper was arrested Monday after leading officers on a pursuit through the Inland Empire ending with a CHP officer being called a hero.
The chase began shortly before 9:30 a.m. in the Riverside area, according to California Highway Patrol officers.
Driving a stolen Toyota Camry, Edward Nader, 51, led officers along the eastbound 10 Freeway to the 215 Freeway where he reached speeds well over 100 miles per hour.
At one point, the Nader pulled over and began to walk along the Palm Avenue overpass. Authorities stopped traffic in both directions while Nader appeared to ponder jumping over the side of the freeway.
A short while later, SKY2 captured authorities move in to try and negotiate with Nader, who waved the windshield wiper aimlessly in the air.
CHP officer Reynaldo Avalos bear-hugged the man from behind, bringing him back over the ledge and onto the pavement.
Nader yelled about needing a job as he was put into an ambulance. "The system doesn't work. The system doesn't work," he yelled. "That's it. Trying to get a job."
Nader was arrested at the scene on suspicion of driving under the influence, felony evading, resisting arrest and driving a stolen vehicle.
At one point, Avalos says he was nearly kicked in the face.
"He had blood," he said. "I don't know exactly how he got injured, he had blood and I had blood all over my uniform."
Avalos, who has worked for the CHP for nearly 18 years, says he was able to use some Jiu-Jitsu training.
"There was so many things going on so quickly and I knew if I didn't take the opportunity that I could've been worse," Avalos said.
CBS2/KCAL9's Dave Lopez spoke to experts about the tactics used in this incident that did not result in deadly consequences.
The officer has been called a hero but he disagrees.
"We're out here to help people," he said. "We're out here to keep them from hurting themselves. That's what I try to do. Luckily for me it worked out."
Paramedics transported Nader to a hospital for a large gash on his leg that he sustained in the standoff.
No other injuries were reported.
