On Christmas Eve, a man was eating at the Way Station in downtown Newhall when he heard a crash. When he went outside, he saw that a white Ford Escort had collided with a motorcyclist, and was leaving the scene.

According to Lt. Brenda Cambra of the Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Department, he jumped in his car and followed the suspect to the corner of

and Lyons, where the suspect parked his car and started to walk away.

The witness then drove up to the man, offered him a ride, and the suspect took him up on his offer.

Only instead of driving him to where he had asked to be dropped off, the witness drove him back to the scene of the crime and delivered him to deputies, where he was arrested for driving under the influence.

“We definitely appreciate his help,” said Lt. Cambra. “But it is important that people in this situation know their limitations. We do not want anyone getting themselves into a dangerous situation.”

Lt. Cambra went on to say: “This witness did well, he didn’t confront the man.”

In a situation like this, another option for the witness could have been keeping tabs on the location of the suspect, and phoning that information into the Sheriff’s Department.

The suspect was given a blood test for alcohol, and the results of that test are not yet available.

The motorcyclist that was involved in the accident was taken to Henry Mayo with serious injuries, and is reportedly in stable condition.

Jon Dell

KHTS AM 1220 News

12-27-06