A Watsonville man was arrested and hospitalized with
life-threatening injuries after leading Gilroy police on a chase
through city streets before wrecking his vehicle early Saturday
morning.
A Watsonville man was arrested and hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after leading Gilroy police on a chase through city streets before wrecking his vehicle early Saturday morning.
Police were investigating “suspicious circumstances” behind the Econo Furniture store near the intersection of Sixth Street and Monterey Road when a green SUV driven by Cristian Perez Rodriguez, 20, was seen exiting a parking lot at “a high rate of speed,” according to the Gilroy Police Department.
GPD Sgt. Chad Gallacinao said officers believed Rodriguez may have been involved in a fight or disturbance downtown about 1:50 a.m.
When officers attempted to stop Rodriguez, he led them on a chase through the city, ending at the 9200 block of Wren Avenue where the SUV rolled several times, ejecting Rodriguez, police said.
Rodriguez, a parolee, was transported to a Bay Area hospital for his injuries, according to the GPD. He was arrested on suspicion of felony evading a peace officer with reckless driving, police said.
Police believe alcohol or drugs may have played a role in this incident.
No one else was injured, Gallacinao said.
An investigation is ongoing and being handled by the GPD and California Highway Patrol. Any person with any information pertaining to this case may contact the GPD at 846-0350 or anonymously at 1-800-782-7463.
