Suspected DUI Driver Crashes Into Hesperia Home, Grabs Deputy’s Firearm
HESPERIA, Calif. (VVNG.com) — A suspected DUI driver grabbed a deputy’s firearm as deputies attempted to pull him from a vehicle that had crashed into a Hesperia home and caught fire Wednesday evening, authorities said.
The incident was reported at 7:22 p.m. on Aug. 12, 2026, in the 11700 block of Hesperia Road, according to a written statement from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
Deputies were dispatched after a vehicle crashed into a house. The residents were able to safely exit the home.
According to the Sheriff’s Department, arriving deputies observed the driver continuing to accelerate into the home, causing a small fire.
The driver, identified as Christopher Harman, 38, of Victorville, and his 39-year-old female passenger were ordered by deputies to exit the vehicle, but both refused, according to the written statement.
Witnesses at the scene reported hearing deputies use a loudspeaker to repeatedly give commands to the occupants. A neighbor who witnessed the incident estimated the resulting standoff lasted about 30 minutes.
During the incident, the fire department was asked to stage away from the immediate area while deputies dealt with the occupants of the vehicle, according to witnesses.
Deputies eventually approached the vehicle and attempted to remove the occupants. Witnesses reported seeing deputies deploy less-lethal rounds during the confrontation.
According to the Sheriff’s Department, “While deputies were pulling Harman from the vehicle, Harman grabbed one of the deputies’ firearms.”
Deputies subdued Harman and removed the female passenger from the vehicle, according to the written statement.
The female passenger was transported to a hospital for her injuries, according to the Sheriff’s Department. Gloria Orejel, spokeswoman for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, also told VVNG that Harman sustained injuries and was transported to a hospital.
After the occupants were removed, witnesses reported seeing deputies and Good Samaritans use fire extinguishers to battle the vehicle fire in an effort to prevent flames from further damaging the residence.
A neighbor also told VVNG that Harman and the female passenger had attempted to flee following the initial crash. That detail was not included in the Sheriff’s Department’s press release.
According to San Bernardino County booking logs, Harman was arrested and booked into the High Desert Detention Center on allegations of attempting to take a firearm from a peace officer under Penal Code 148(d), resisting an executive officer under Penal Code 69(a), driving under the influence of alcohol under Vehicle Code 23152(a), and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs under Vehicle Code 23152(g).
Booking information lists bail amounts of $30,000 for the Penal Code allegations and $10,000 for the DUI allegations.
Harman was also booked under Penal Code 3455 in connection with post-release community supervision, with no bail listed on that matter.
Court information in the booking logs shows Harman is scheduled to appear at Victorville Superior Court on Aug. 14, 2026. A separate proceeding related to his post-release community supervision is listed for Aug. 20.
Booking logs identified the female passenger as Brittany Thorson, 39, a resident of Hesperia. Thorson was booked on an allegation of obstructing or resisting a public officer under Penal Code 148(a)(1). Booking records list her disposition as cite and release, with no court appearance scheduled.
The Sheriff’s Department’s press release did not identify Thorson by name or state that she had been arrested or cited.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Hesperia Sheriff’s Station at 760-947-1500.
Note to readers: If you value our reporting and want to see it continue, consider becoming a monthly supporter. Your contribution helps keep independent, local news accessible to everyone. Support local news today!
