A man suspected of car theft led police air and ground units on a pursuit through Lafayette on Wednesday before abandoning the car, briefly fleeing on foot only to return to the car and speeding off onto eastbound Highway 24.
The driver, subsequently identified as Jesus Valdez, 35, of Oakland, drove into oncoming traffic in the eastbound direction and smashed into another vehicle, authorities said.
The crash was largely confined to Highway 24 between Hidden Valley Road and St. Stephens Drive in Orinda.
Both Valdez and another motorist suffered major injuries and were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Valdez was arrested for allegedly possessing a stolen vehicle, possessing stolen property, reckless evading, evading police causing injury, evading police by driving in the opposite direction and having a warrant for drug trafficking.
Well that was pretty crazy. Caught in that backup for about an hour.
Thanks for your alerts. Crickets on Nixel.
Alerts saved us last night. Again.
The suspect thief car wasn’t black nor was it a Chevy impala… it was a red Honda
I agree! Red honda . Almost clipped me in the far right lane going around me in the small hazard lane with the wall.
Was there more than one pursuit going on last night? At the same time???
Thanks for being the only source in the east bay willing or able to tell us what is happening when stuff breaks like this. we’re subscribed.
Thanks for riding with us, Jim!