Vehicle Collision

On 02/11/2021 at 0007 hours Chico Police Officers responded to a single vehicle accident on Ivy St. at the Little Chico Creek bridge. The driver of a 2013 Nissan was driving southbound on Ivy St. at a very high rate of speed when the vehicle left the right side of the roadway on the north side of the creek. The vehicle then struck a fence and gate surrounding the creek before going airborne across the creek. On the south side of the creek the vehicle struck a tree. The force of the collision with the tree caused the vehicle to bounce back toward the top railing of the bridge, striking the railing before plummeting to creek bed. The accident was witnessed by an unknown citizen who ran into the creek to help extricate the driver from the vehicle. When officers and EMS personnel arrived at the scene the engine compartment of the vehicle was on fire. Chico Fire extinguished the fire.

The driver was transported to Enloe Hospital for moderate injuries. During the investigation it was determined the driver was not impaired and appeared to have been suffering from a mental health related problem. A mental health evaluation hold was placed on the driver along with a DMV emergency re-evaluation.

 This incident required a significant amount of resources and time from both police and fire personnel.  The vehicle was removed from the creek at approximately 0210 hours.

Location: Ivy St. and Little Chico Creek
Date/Time: 02/11/2021 at 0007 hours
Supervisor: Sergeant Mark Bass
Watch Commander: M. Williams