Driver Wielding Hatchet Arrested After High-Speed Chase Through Highway 299 Construction Zones

A Shasta County driver was arrested following a high-speed pursuit that began after he dangerously sped through active construction zones on Highway 299E, endangering road workers and prompting a sheriff's sergeant to initiate a chase.

The Shasta County Sheriff's Department reported that the incident unfolded on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, around 12:26 p.m. in the Oak Run area near Du Bois Road. A Shasta County Sheriff’s Sergeant was stopped in traffic due to ongoing road construction when a vehicle rapidly approached from behind. The driver passed the sergeant and other stopped vehicles, crossed into the oncoming lane, and barreled into the construction zone at a high rate of speed. Caltrans workers were present on foot, in vehicles, and operating heavy equipment at the time, placing them in immediate danger.

The sergeant immediately began pursuing the vehicle. After exiting the first construction zone, the suspect—later identified as 37-year-old Joshua Armstrong Granberry—refused to yield and accelerated to speeds exceeding 100 mph. During the chase, Granberry repeatedly failed to maintain his lane and appeared to intentionally drive in the oncoming traffic lane for extended periods, creating hazardous conditions for everyone on the road. Citing the extreme danger, the sergeant terminated the pursuit.

Granberry continued eastbound and sped through a second construction zone without stopping or slowing. California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers, alerted to the incident, deployed a spike strip approximately 12 miles east of the second zone, near the intersection of Highway 299E and Moose Camp Road. The tactic successfully brought the vehicle to a halt.

Upon exiting his vehicle, Granberry was holding a hatchet and initially stepped toward officers before complying with commands and being taken into custody peacefully.

Authorities reported that Granberry showed signs of being under the influence of narcotics. He was transported to a local hospital for a blood draw before booking into the Shasta County Jail.

Granberry faces multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, including:

- 245(a)(1) PC– Assault with a Deadly Weapon (not a firearm)

- 23152(f) VC – Driving Under the Influence of Any Drug

- Two counts of 2800.2(a) VC– Evading an Officer with Wanton Disregard for Safety

- 69(a) PC– Obstructing or Resisting an Executive Officer

- 11364(a) HS – Possession of Unlawful Paraphernalia

- 1203.2 PC – Probation Violation

His bail was set at $125,000.

The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude to the California Highway Patrol for their swift assistance in safely apprehending the suspect and ending the dangerous pursuit.

This incident underscores the serious risks posed by reckless driving in work zones, where speeding can endanger not only other motorists but also the workers tasked with maintaining and improving our roadways. Authorities continue to emphasize the importance of slowing down and obeying traffic controls in construction areas to protect lives.