Briefs: Driver who hit tree in critical state

A Sutter County man is in critical condition after driving his Land Rover into a large oak tree Saturday night.

Arnold Dieckmann, 64, suffered extensive injuries and became trapped inside his burning SUV after he struck the tree head-on at Carlson and O'Banion roads around 10:20 p.m., authorities said.

Dieckmann was flown by air ambulance to Sutter Roseville Medical Center. He had severe burns, two fractured femurs, a fractured pelvis, two punctured lungs and broken ribs.

He was driving south on Carlson Road, which dead-ends at O'Banion, at a high rate of speed and failed to slow for a stop sign, according to a California Highway Patrol statement.

Crossing O'Banion, the driver hit the tree. His car rotated to the right and immediately caught fire. A witness found the vehicle consumed in flames and called 911.

According to the statement, two CHP officers arrived within minutes and were able to slow the spreading flames which had already consumed the dash and passenger side of the vehicle.

However, it wasn't until the Oswald-Tudor Fire Department arrived and used the jaws of life to remove the vehicle's roof that emergency responders were able to pull Dieckmann from his burning SUV.

Alcohol is suspected to have played a role in the accident, said the CHP.

Linda

Fleeing man loses roosters

Yuba County sheriff's deputies retrieved two fighting roosters from a man who had led officers on a chase through an orchard Saturday.

The unidentified man was riding a pocket bike in the 1700 block of Hammonton-Smartsville Road in Linda at about 11:30 p.m. before he escaped arrest — but not before he lost the two birds in his possession, according to authorities.

One of the roosters died from its injuries. The other was apparently unharmed.

When deputies attempted to pull the bike over, the driver fled into an orchard. He then ran from police on foot after crashing his bike moments later.

A deputy had chased the subject on foot, but the man was able to elude him.

Olivehurst

Man allegedly fights with cop

The Yuba County Sheriff's Department arrested a 26-year-old Olivehurst man on Friday who allegedly fought with a deputy after vandalizing the home of his own grandmother.

Levi Lankford rushed at an officer responding to a vandalism call at about 7:17 p.m. on the 1800 block of Meadow Court.

Lankford repeatedly swung at the deputy, but was eventually wrestled to the ground, according to a Sheriff's Department statement. He was arrested for violation of felony vandalism, a violation of a court protective order, and felony assault on a peace officer.

Both Lankford and the deputy involved in the altercation were treated for minor injuries at Rideout Memorial Hospital.