(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
An Orange County Sheriff Deputy pursuing a parolee collided into another vehicle.
This collision occurred in Laguna Hills on Wednesday around noon. The pursuit began at 11:48 a.m. A deputy stopped a suspect in the parking lot of the Irvine Suites in Lake Forest. The suspect was driving a 1994 Toyota 4Runner. The deputy asked the driver about his status as a parole. After the deputy asked him about his status, the parolee fled.
The deputy was exiting the southbound I-5 on Alicia. He turned right toward the beach. A witness reported that the Sheriff’s department patrol car was speeding down Alicia in pursuit. A silver Volkswagen Jetta exited the freeway in front of the patrol car, and the two vehicles collided.
The patrol car attempted to slow down and swerve. Unfortunately, the patrol car collided into the Jetta. The patrol car collided into the Jetta with so much force that the engine was knocked out of the car. The engine block flew about 40 feet from the car, and it collided into a nearby fence. Both of the Patrol car and Jetta sustained serious damage.
The deputy was taken to a hospital for minor injuries, and he has been released. The other driver sustained minor injuries and was taken to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo. He was a 60 year old male. California Highway Patrol is investigating the collision
Paramedics and ambulance reported to the scene, and other law enforcement officials continue to pursue the parolee in his Jeep. The pursuit continued to Laguna Niguel. At some points of the chase, the parolee drove on the wrong side of the road. He was eventually stopped at Kensington Drive and Niguel Road in Laguna Niguel. The parolee was taken into custody. According to authorities, the parolee has gang ties and was arrested on drug charges.
Thankfully, more people were not injured in this chase. Erratic drivers can be quite dangerous. If you see an erratic driver on the road, do not attempt to try to contact the driver. Try to remember the license plate and make and model of the car. Safely, pull over. Call 911 and report the information to the emergency operator. When it is safe, get back on the road.
If you are ever involved a car accident, contact a Lake Forrest car accident lawyer. Insurance may cover some of the coasts, but a car accident lawyer can help you seek maximum damages for your losses.
