Fernley man sentenced for high speed chase
Robert Perea, The Fernley Reporter
A Fernley man was sentenced on Jan. 30 to 5-12 years in state prison for his role in a high speed chase through Fernley last August.
Lyon County District Attorney Stephen B. Rye announced that the Third Judicial District Court sentenced Jeremy Random to 28-72 months for charges of Eluding a Police Officer, 28-72 months to be served consecutively to County 1 for Assault on a Police Officer with a Deadly Weapon and 28-72 months to be served concurrently for Assault with a Deadly Weapon.
Random pleaded guilty to the charges on December 19, 2016.
The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office arrested Random, 39, of Fernley, on August 9, 2016, after Random led officers on a high speed chase in Fernley, where Random drove the wrong way on I-80, traveling westbound in the eastbound lane with his lights off.
Rye charged that Random swerved toward other vehicles on the highway. Lyon County Sheriff Deputies rammed his vehicle in an effort to stop him but were unsuccessful. Random continued to a truck stop in Fernley where deputies were eventually able to stop him by ramming his vehicle with a patrol vehicle.
Rye charged that once stopped, Random ignored the commands of officers and grabbed a rifle. Shortly thereafter, Random started his vehicle and attempted to ram the deputies with his vehicle. Officers shot at Random in an effort to stop him as he attempted to hit them. Random was transported to Renown for medical treatment and then booked into the Lyon County Jail.
Rye also charged that Random was under the influence of methamphetamine at the time he committed these crimes. The Court considered Random’s request for probation, but denied it based on the facts and circumstances of the offense.
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“It is fortunate no one else was seriously injured or killed in this case,” Rye said. “Mr. Random showed a total disregard for the public and the officers involved in this case. Officers risk their lives to protect the public. Acts like this from Mr. Random cannot be tolerated in our society. Mr. Random is fortunate that he was not killed in this situation based upon the threats to the public and officers and his wanton and reckless conduct.”
Rye said he was pleased with the prison sentence handed down by the court.
“This will keep Mr. Random off the streets, thereby protecting the public, and will also allow Mr. Random time to get the help he needs to deal with his substance abuse and other issues,” Rye said.
The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, Nevada Highway Patrol and Nevada Division of Investigations investigated the case. Damian Sinnott prosecuted the case for Lyon County.
