Crime

Man in stolen car struggles with getaway driving skills, gets stuck in river

By Marilyn Castaneda
Driver Christopher John Taylor, 45
Driver Christopher John Taylor, 45 Visalia Police Department

A man attempting to flee from police in a stolen vehicle ended up struck down a 20-foot embankment of the St. John’s River, Visalia police say.

The stolen vehicle was spotted Thursday night in the area of Road 156 and Avenue 296, according to a news release. Officers attempted a traffic stop but the driver, Christopher John Taylor, 45, sped away, reaching 100 mph during the chase.

Police say Taylor entered a private lane in the area of Road 158 and Ivanhoe Drive and eventually drove onto the embankment, but he lost control and crashed into the river, coming to a stop in 18 inches of water.

Taylor was arrested and found to be on probation for grand theft auto. He was booked into the Tulare County Adult Pre-Trial Facility on charges including auto theft, evading an officer and drug possession.

Marilyn Castaneda: 559-441-6087, @MarilynCast98

Visalia police say a chase of a stolen car ended when Christopher John Taylor, 45, drove it off an embankment and into the St. John’s River.
Visalia police say a chase of a stolen car ended when Christopher John Taylor, 45, drove it off an embankment and into the St. John’s River. Visalia Police Department

This story was originally published February 8, 2019 at 8:01 PM.

Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER