URGENT UPDATE: A suspected drunken driver is now in custody following a chaotic series of traffic collisions in Vista, California, on Monday night. The 32-year-old man allegedly caused significant property damage and injured several bystanders during a reckless driving spree that began at approximately 7:30 p.m., according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office.
The driver, whose name has not been released, reportedly crashed his pickup truck into a parked car and a steel gate at an apartment complex on Oak Drive. Authorities confirmed that he then continued his rampage, colliding with multiple vehicles and infrastructure, including a fire hydrant.
Officials report the suspect was booked on 19 charges, including DUI, hit-and-run causing injury, reckless driving, and driving with a suspended license.
“In an attempt to flee this scene, [the driver] reversed and then accelerated forward, ramming the victim’s vehicle to push it out of the way,”
said Lt. Noah Zarnow of the Sheriff’s Office. The victim sustained injuries and required treatment from paramedics on the scene.
The driver’s reckless behavior escalated as he drove on the wrong side of the road on Foothill Drive, sideswiping another vehicle and forcing several drivers to swerve to avoid him. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with numerous vehicles trying to evade the out-of-control pickup.
In a particularly dangerous maneuver, the suspect attempted to overtake vehicles over double yellow lines, leading to a head-on collision with another driver. The impact caused substantial damage to both vehicles, leaving the other driver with minor injuries.
Despite having lost a front tire and sustaining extensive damage, the suspect continued to flee the scene. His reckless driving finally ended when the pickup veered off the road and crashed into a power pole in a neighborhood near Alta Vista Botanical Gardens, where deputies apprehended him.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of impaired driving and the potential consequences of reckless behavior on the road. As investigations continue, authorities urge anyone with additional information to come forward.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as more details emerge.
