Pepper balls used during standoff with driver on I-15 near Fallbrook: CHP

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FALLBROOK, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) -- A major traffic backup occurred late Sunday morning after California Highway Patrol officers stopped all lanes of northbound Interstate 15 during a traffic stop involving a stolen vehicle.

According to CHP, officers located the unreported stolen vehicle as it was traveling northbound on I-15, just north of Highway 76. A traffic stop was initiated, but the driver refused to comply with orders.

As a precaution, all northbound lanes were shut down from approximately 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. while officers worked to safely resolve the situation.

The suspect was eventually extracted from the vehicle and taken into custody. Authorities say pepper balls were used during the incident, and the suspect was later transported to a local hospital for treatment related to exposure to the chemical irritant.

No injuries to officers or motorists were reported. The identity of the suspect has not yet been released, and the investigation is ongoing.

Motorists experienced significant delays in the area but traffic has since resumed.