Deputies from the Sheriff's department chased a suspected DUI driver across Los Angeles County on Wednesday night, as the vehicle weaved in and out of lanes and driving on the wrong side of the road a number of times before finally ending in Santa Monica. The suspects exited the car and attempted to flee on foot, one even tried to conceal himself in a bush.
According to ABC7, which followed the pursuit live on air, deputies from the Sheriff's Department at Temple station initially tried to pull the SUV over, but the driver took off, speeding towards the 60 freeway. The suspect then got onto the 10 freeway, speeding all the way to Santa Monica. The driver maintained an excessive speed, crossing double yellow lines to get around traffic and even driving on the wrong side of the road along the Pacific Coast Highway.
According to the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD), a little after 10pm yesterday, a joint California Highway Patrol and Los Angeles Sheriff's Department (LASD) vehicle pursuit that began some 27 miles away in Rosemead, entered SMPD's jurisdiction, passing through Santa Monica and Pacific Palisades before returning to Santa Monica.
The vehicle eventually stopped at the eastbound off-ramp at 20th Street, where three occupants fled the scene on foot. A local resident reported suspicious activity of someone jumping fences in the area and one even tried to disappear into shrubbery (above) Homer Simpson-style.
Officers from SMPD located and detained one of the involved individuals near 18th Street and Delaware Ave and LASD subsequently took custody of both suspects and the recovered stolen vehicle. The Sheriff's Department is handling the investigation.
scott.snowden@smdp.com
