ENCINO (CNS) - A standoff between a driver and a slew of California Highway Patrol units blocked traffic on the westbound Ventura (101) Freeway in Encino and created a traffic nightmare before officers managed to drag him out of his car and arrest him.
The standoff on the 101 at Haskell Avenue prompted a SigAlert at 9:41 a.m., closing of all westbound lanes, said CHP Officer Peter Nicholson.
The driver appeared to be acting strange inside his vehicle before he pulled off to the right shoulder, according to Nicholson and media reports.
CHP officers tried to lure the man out of his car, but when that failed, they broke out his windows, according to Nicholson and media reports.
One officer opened the passenger side door and dragged the man out of the car, according to media reports. Even while being pulled out, he resisted. Officers then tackled and handcuffed him, ending the nearly two-hour ordeal.
The CHP planned to reopen westbound lanes as quickly as possible, Nicholson said. However, the standoff created a nightmare for motorists backing up traffic for miles on the freeway.
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