Police Chase in Boonville Area After Revived Overdose Victim Allegedly Becomes Hostile Toward Paramedics & Flees from Deputies
BOONVILLE, CA — “On 05/29/2026 at approximately 0200 hours, CalFire Howard Forrest Dispatch Center received a call requesting medical personnel respond to a residence within the 13000 block of Anderson Valley Way in Boonville, CA, for a report of an unresponsive subject who overdosed on suspected fentanyl. Upon medical personnel arriving at the scene, they located Jack Hayward, a 31-year-old male, unconscious and unresponsive to physical stimulus. The paramedics observed drug paraphernalia near Hayward at the scene.
Due to Hayward’s unresponsive condition, Narcan was administered. Hayward’s condition improved slightly; however, he remained mostly unresponsive. Additional doses of Narcan were subsequently administered. Following the Narcan administration, Hayward regained consciousness and became alert; however, he appeared confused, disoriented, and in an altered mental state. Hayward soon became upset and began displaying aggressive and combative behavior towards emergency medical personnel, prompting the request for an emergency law enforcement response. Before Hayward could be fully evaluated and treated, he fled the scene on foot and refused further medical treatment, voiding the protections afforded under 11376.5 HS for criminal violations at the scene of a drug-related overdose.
Medical personnel requested Sheriff’s Deputies respond when Hayward became hostile and combative during their efforts to perform their duties.
Sheriff’s Deputies subsequently located Hayward walking on Highway 128 and attempted to contact him.
Upon seeing law enforcement, Hayward immediately fled on foot. Based on information that Hayward had recently overdosed on narcotics and became combative with medical personnel, Sheriff’s Deputies attempted to detain him and continue their investigation for violations of 11550(a) HS – Under the influence of a controlled substance, and 243(b) PC – Battery on a firefighter or EMT. Sheriff’s Deputies activated their emergency lights and siren and issued repeated commands identifying themselves as law enforcement and ordering him to stop, but Hayward continued to flee.
Hayward led deputies through hazardous terrain consisting of a steep embankment, large rocks, dense vegetation, and a creek underneath a bridge. During the foot pursuit, a Sheriff’s Deputy fell and sustained a significant injury, which later required admission to a local hospital and surgical procedures to include sutures.
Hayward continued fleeing and ignored additional lawful commands from law enforcement to stop. Hayward was ultimately apprehended after attempting to conceal himself in a private driveway.
A search incident to arrest revealed Hayward was in possession of methamphetamine. Hayward was placed under arrest for 11377 HS – Possession of a controlled substance and transported back to the original location, where additional drug paraphernalia was located.
Hayward later provided a statement to Sheriff’s Deputies, acknowledging his awareness they were law enforcement officials and his decision to flee and attempt to avoid arrest.
Based on the investigation, Hayward was also arrested for 11550(a) HS – Under the influence of a controlled substance, 11364(a) HS – Possession of drug paraphernalia, 148(a)(1) PC – resisting or obstructing a peace officer, and 148.10 PC – Causing serious bodily injury to a peace officer in the performance of their duties.
Hayward was booked into the Mendocino County Jail, where he was subsequently released on his signed promise to appear in accordance with the current Mendocino County Superior Court Bail Schedule.
The Sheriff’s Deputy who was injured during this incident is expected to make a full recovery.
Anyone with information related to this incident is requested to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office at 707-463-4086 (option 1). Information can also be provided anonymously by calling the non-emergency tip-line at 707-234-2100.”
