Red Bluff Police Apprehend Suspect Following Pursuit and DUI Collision
RED BLUFF, CA – On January 24, 2026, at approximately 7:28 p.m., an officer with the Red Bluff Police Department initiated a vehicle pursuit following an attempted traffic stop in the area of Kimball Road and Metzger Street. The incident began when Officer Hausman observed a vehicle near Luther Road and Mill Street associated with an individual identified as a Sureno gang member. After establishing probable cause, the officer activated emergency lights, at which point the vehicle failed to yield.
During the pursuit, the suspect vehicle nearly collided head-on with another motorist while turning onto South Jackson Street. The vehicle then proceeded through a red light at the intersection of Luther Road and South Jackson Street, where it struck an occupied vehicle. The suspect vehicle continued traveling north until it became disabled due to the impact of the collision.
The driver, identified as 19-year-old Luis Maldonado, exited the disabled vehicle and attempted to flee on foot. Officer Hausman and K9 Max apprehended Maldonado and placed him under arrest. Investigators determined that Maldonado was intoxicated at the time of the incident and had discarded a stolen firearm while fleeing. Both a passenger in the suspect vehicle and the occupant of the vehicle struck in the intersection sustained minor to moderate injuries.
Maldonado faces multiple charges, including vehicle pursuit causing injury, driving the wrong way during a pursuit, DUI causing injury, hit and run with injury, and resisting arrest causing injury. Additional charges include possession of a concealed and stolen firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, probation violation, and driving on a license suspended for a previous DUI. The Red Bluff Police Department received assistance in this case from the Tehama County Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol, and Red Bluff Fire.
