By Jon Chown
A 56-year-old resident of the Santa Cruz Mountains was arrested and charged with a number of crimes on Oct. 22 after allegedly trying to run another car off the road in Scotts Valley.
According to social media post by the Scotts Valley Police Department, in the late afternoon, a female driver called 9-1-1, reportedly in a frantic state, and reported that a male driver was trying to run her off the road. She had stopped for a coyote that was in the road and the man apparently thought she had “brake-checked” him. He then got out of his car, approached her side door, and began threatening to kill her.
She drove away in fear for her life, but he pursued her with his vehicle going across a double yellow into opposing traffic to run her off the road. She provided a full description of the man, his vehicle and a partial plate and was advised to pull over for a “speedy response” from the department.
The male suspect fled the area, but was intercepted by officers who saw him pull into the parking lot of a local liquor store. He was given a field sobriety test and failed, with a breathalyzer revealing his blood alcohol percentage to be three times beyond the legal limit.
“He displayed continued aggression throughout the contact, using vile and inappropriate language putting on full display the same threatening conduct that he had exhibited towards the female driver.He was subsequently provided with a time out in County Jail,” said the post.
David Shane Evans, who lives in the unincorporated area of Scotts Valley, was charged with DUI; DUI while on probation for DUI; and threatening a crime with intent to terrorize. The last charge could result in a three-year prison sentence.
Scotts Valley Chief of Police Steve Walpole said the department is able to respond very quickly to events like this and it didn’t take long for officers to find him.
“We are pretty pro-active on our local streets,” he said.
TOP PHOTO: A patrol car’s dash camera records David Shane Evans failing a field sobriety test. Evans was arrested and charged with DUI and terrorist threats in an alleged road rage incident.