Motorhome leads law enforcement on chase from South Lake Tahoe to Gardnerville

A motorhome being driven recklessly through South Lake Tahoe and Stateline led law enforcement on a high-speed ride along Highway 50, over Spooner Summit and into the Carson Valley before it crashed into a building in Gardnerville, Nev.

At 10:30 p.m. Sunday, August 26, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) was alerted about the 1997 Airstream motorhome speeding through South Lake Tahoe, running red lights and traveling without headlamps on. They saw it as it crossed into Nevada traveling 55 mph in a 35-mph zone when an enforcement stop was initiated.

The motorhome did not slow down or pull over and speed away at approximately 80 mph and was seen swerving across the double yellow line.

Spike strips were placed by DCSO near US Highway 50 and Hwy 395 and the spike strips were successful, but immediate effects were not observed. Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) and Carson City Sheriff’s Office were also involved. The motorhome continued southbound on Highway 395. The tires on the motorhome began to tear away and the motorhome continued on its right rims, showering the roadway with sparks.

Spike strips were placed again near Highway 395 and State Route 88, but the motorhome kept traveling and then drove around a law enforcement road block, across a curb, then turned into Town of Minden property and caused some damage. The motorhome drove around a second law enforcement road block and swerved toward two deputies who were on foot in the area. Those deputies got out of the way of the moving motorhome which continued on southbound on Highway 395 into Gardnerville.

The motorhome eventually ran off the roadway into a building located at US 395 and Douglas Avenue. The driver physically resisted the deputies who were attempting to remove him from the vehicle. He was eventually transported to Carson Valley Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries and later booked into the Minden jail.

The driver was identified as Christopher Lee Debastiani, 46, of Alturas, Calif. He was booked for Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Peace Officer, Reckless Driving/Wanton Disregard, DUI Drug, Destruction of Property, Speeding 21-30 mph over the speed limit, Failure to Maintain Lane, Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device, No Driving on Right Side of Road, Headlights Required, No Taillights, Obstructing/Resisting a Peace Officer.

The total bail is $102,082

Nevada Highway Patrol is handing the traffic accident investigation.