By Ryan Olson
The Chico Enterprise-Record (California)
CHICO, Calif. — Gasoline-fueled flames erupted during a brisk Chico evening after a fleeing driver crashed into a gas station late Thursday.
A Butte County sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop the driver of an Oldsmobile 88 on Highway 99 near East First Avenue shortly after 10 p.m.
The driver refused to stop and sped east down East First Avenue while the deputy ended the attempt, according to Chico police Sgt. Scott Franssen. The driver apparently attempted to turn north onto Longfellow Avenue at a high rate of speed, but the effort failed and the car swerved into the Valero gas station on the corner.
The right side of the Oldsmobile struck one of the pumping stations, completely dislodging one gas pump and two concrete barriers.
“That hit pretty gosh darn hard and that created the fire,” Franssen said.
The front and right side of the car were extensively damaged and glass was scattered onto the roadway.
The intersection of East First and Longfellow was closed while firefighters quickly contained the fire. The nearby In-Motion Fitness was also partially evacuated.
Firefighters reported that breakaway valves on the pump worked properly, Franssen said.
Officers are continuing to investigate the incident. The driver was taken to Enloe Medical Center for treatment where officers were going to question the subject.
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