Deaf, mute scooter driver leads CHP officers on chase

From: Victorville Daily Press, CA - May 24, 2003

BARSTOW — A deaf and mute man driving an unauthorized motor scooter northbound on Interstate 15 near the Wild Wash off-ramp inadvertently caused a minor traffic collision Friday morning.

The man continued driving, apparently unaware of the crash he left behind, which prompted the California Highway Patrol to chase him, CHP spokesman Adam Cortinas said. But the driver could not hear the sirens and did not respond to the pursuing officers.

Cortinas said the man probably did not realize the officers were trying to pull him over. He said that because the driver did not respond, the CHP helicopter was called in to aid in stopping the driver. The driver finally stopped, and officers quickly realized there was a communication barrier.

The officers brought the man to the Barstow CHP station and sorted the situation out. Cortinas said officers did not want the man to travel home on his scooter, so they drove the man, who was heading to Las Vegas, back to his Los Angeles-area home.

The man's name was not available.

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