Deputy pursues, collides with motorcyclist

A pursuit that rolled into south Nevada County early Tuesday landed one man in the hospital, one man in jail and produced a backpack full of marijuana.

Placer County Sheriff's Deputy Johnathan P. Cirinna, 42, was patrolling Highway 49 about 12:30 a.m. and noticed a motorcycle's license plate was painted over. Cirinna tried to pull motorcyclist Kenneth J. Van Winkle over, but he allegedly fled the scene.

The CHP said Van Winkle, 45, of Sacramento, pulled his 1985 Yamaha onto Combie Road and then into the Combie Market parking lot. According to Placer County Sheriff's spokeswoman Dena Erwin, Van Winkle did a lap around the parking lot and eventually drove out in front of Cirinna's 2001 Ford Victoria. The right front of the Ford hit Van Winkle's Yamaha on the right side.

The California Highway Patrol said Van Winkle was wearing a helmet but was taken to Sutter-Roseville Medical Center with a head injury. He was listed in serious condition late Tuesday afternoon.

Van Winkle allegedly had a backpack full of marijuana, a small amount of methamphetamine and a loaded handgun with him, Erwin said. While deputies and emergency personnel dealt with Van Winkle, David Worden, 36, of nearby Garden Bar Road allegedly intervened at the scene, Erwin said.

Worden was eventually pursued to his home, where he was arrested for driving while suspended, fleeing from and interfering with police officers. He was released after making $10,750 bail.

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To contact senior staff writer Dave Moller, e-mail davem@theunion.com or call 477-4237.