Deputies chase man with a knife on highway
A 62-year old man led deputies on a slow foot pursuit on Highway 101 Wednesday before he was handcuffed in front of many frightened drivers.
He was spotted about 1:40 p.m. on Calle Real and refused to cooperate with a deputy who was called out to check the man’s condition.
Lanes in both directions of Highway 101 near Patterson Avenue were shut down as the man, identified as Harley Kelly, pulled out a knife and started to cross the freeway.
Lt. Kelly Moore said, “he brandished a knife at the officer and actually advanced towards the officer. The officer pulled out his fire arm and tried to hold him there at gunpoint.”
KEYT NewsChannel 3 was on the scene as multiple Sheriff’s units and the California Highway Patrol raced to the area to protect drivers and contain Kelly.
“I thought he had a gun and could start shooting,” said Nissa Anderson, a driver who was out of her car and seeking protection near the center divider. “I didn’t know if the guy had a knife, a gun or whatever. They (deputies) yelled at us and told us to get out of the car and just run down the freeway.”
Kelly was hit with seven high powered bean bag shots and six Taser shots but kept walking. It wasn’t until a seventh Taser probe was fired that he went down.
“It was just through their restraint, their persistence of using more and more less lethal options that he’s alive today,” said Moore.
The Sheriff’s Department released a statement later in the afternoon saying Kelly was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon against a peace officer and will be booked at the Santa Barbara County Jail once he is medically released from the hospital.
