Highway 17 Traffic Stop Leads to Police Pursuit

A Santa Cruz man led police on a car chase Wednesday afternoon after an officer attempted a traffic stop on Highway 17.

At approximately 1:55 p.m., Jason Ress, 43, failed to yield after a CHP officer attempted to stop him for an equipment failure and a pursuit ensured.

Ress attempted to evade officers and continued down northbound Highway 17, where he then exited at El Rancho Road and continued south into Santa Cruz city limits. The pursuit ended at an apartment complex on Franklin Street where Ress jumped from the moving 4Runner he was driving.

Ress sustained serious injuries and the 4Runner collided with a parked, unoccupied vehicle.

The 4Runner had been reported stolen in Livermore. Officers also discovered methamphetamine in the vehicle. There was also a dog in the vehicle with Ress. It was uninjured and is being cared for by Animal Control.

Ress was taken into custody and was transported to Valley Medical Center in San Jose.

He is being charged with vehicle theft, reckless evading, possession of methamphetamine and driving under the influence. He also had a warrant for his arrest on drug related charges out of Alameda County.