Brother Of Man Accused Of Hit-And-Run Offers Apology To CHP Officer

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — The California Highway Patrol says a man deliberately tried to kill one of their officers with a vehicle on Thursday.

Austin Scott, 28, faces a number of charges in the hit-and-run crash that injured officer Michael Ericson.

Ericson is in critical condition, but stable at UC Davis Medical center recovering from surgery.

Scott faces nine felony charges, including evading police and assault with a deadly weapon.

His younger brother isn't coming to his defense, saying Scott had a rocky past, and he's certain his brother was under the influence at the time of Thursday's incident.

Dylan Scott says he's disappointed in his older brother.

"I didn't think he'd go this extreme, something this intense," he said.

Dylan and his family live in Reno where he says the whole incident began.

"He stole my mom's truck originally, the blue one," he said, describing the truck that Austin allegedly used to run over a 17-year CHP veteran.

CHP Commander Andy Williams says Austin simple drove off.

"This was not an accident, rather officer Erickson was a victim of an assault by motor vehicle," he said.

Austin Scott then allegedly stole a work truck at the Across The Top project on Interstate 80 that was left unattended at a construction site. He was later arrested near Fairfield.

It's not his first time behind bars. He's been arrested four times in Nevada, including once for marijuana possession.

Dylan Scott says his brother has had a drug problem for years that included meth and heroin. He believes his brother was under the influence during Thursday's incident.

The CHP has said Scott displayed "symptoms of drug intoxication at the time of arrest."

Now Dylan and his mom are concerns for the well-being of officer Michael Ericson and his family.

"From me and the rest of my family, we are intensely sorry, he did not deserve that; sorry for the actions of my brother," he said.

The last time Dylan saw his brother was a month ago, and he's not sure whether he'll ever see him again outside prison walls.

"He'll be in a place where he can't hurt anybody, and he'll get the help that he does need," he said .