CALIFORNIA CITY, Calif. – A man is now in custody after leading police on a pursuit in California City.

 Scott Hilt ignored a stop sign in the area of Nelson Drive and Mendiburu Road. When an officer attempted to pull him over, Hilt did not stop.

During the chase, the passenger opened the right front passenger door to try to escape the car.

Hilt continued to evade the officer and subsequently crashed into a tree. He immediately got out of the car and fled the scene, leaving his passenger in the vehicle.

The passenger told officers about pleading with Hilt to stop and attempting to jump out of the car but realizing that it was moving too fast. It was the passenger’s decision to abruptly pull the emergency brake that ultimately brought the car to a stop and cause the collision with the tree.

Hilt was later located at a home in the 200 block of Desert Breeze.

Hilt was arrested and is now facing charges in connection to the pursuit.