**Press Release***

HAWTHORNE, NV – On January 8, 2026, at approximately 12:09 PM, the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) successfully apprehended three individuals following a high-speed pursuit that spanned two states and reached speeds exceeding 140 mph.

Incident Overview

The incident began when MCSO was alerted to a stolen Silver 2015 Mercedes four-door with Oregon plates (730PQQ). The vehicle was flagged by FLOCK License Plate Reader technology as it traveled southbound on US-95 toward Hawthorne.

Deputies located the vehicle at the Chevron station located at 1075 US-95. In an attempt to prevent a pursuit, deputies tried to box the vehicle in. However, the driver lunged the Mercedes forward and then reversed into a patrol vehicle, striking it to create an escape path.

The Pursuit

The suspects fled southbound through Hawthorne, continuing onto SR-359 at speeds over 100 mph. As the vehicle accelerated toward the California state line, MCSO requested assistance from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the Mono County Sheriff’s Office.

Key details of the chase include:

· Extreme Speeds: The vehicle reached speeds well over 140 mph while fleeing through Mineral and Mono Counties.

· Interdiction Efforts: Spike strips were deployed near the junction of SR-167 and US-395, though the vehicle continued to flee.

· The Crash: The driver eventually turned onto Goat Ranch Road in Mono County, where they lost control. The vehicle crashed and came to rest on its roof.

Following the crash, three occupants attempted to flee the scene on foot but were quickly apprehended. The suspects have been identified as:

1. Kevin Lerus (Nevada)

2. Fontaine Smith (Nevada)

3. Cheyenne Cottle (Nevada)

All three suspects were booked into the Mono County Jail. They face a litany of charges in both Nevada and California, including possession of a stolen vehicle, felony eluding, and battery on a peace officer.

We would like to thank the California Highway Patrol and the Mono County Sheriff’s Office for their vital assistance in bringing this dangerous situation to a safe conclusion.

Bill Ferguson, Sheriff

Mineral County Sheriff’s Office