A suspected drunk driver led police on a 30-minute pursuit through the La Mesa area Friday night before being taken into custody, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) said.
San Diego County Sheriff’s Deputies (SDSO) received reports of a man drinking alcohol in his car behind the CVS store at 3749 Avocado Boulevard in unincorporated La Mesa at around 7:25 p.m.
When a Sheriff’s deputy approached the vehicle, the driver, later identified as 52-year-old Simone Bahou, drove off and ignored commands to stop.
According to the SDSO, the deputy could smell the scent of alcohol coming from the car as it slowly drove past him.
The deputy returned to his cruiser and initiated a traffic stop and the man refused to pull over. SDSO deputies continued to pursue the driver for approximately 22 minutes before CHP officers took over.
The SDSO says deputies remained in pursuit alongside CHP officers because there weren’t enough CHP officers available.
CHP officers lead the pursuit for approximately 8 minutes before forcing the driver to lose control of his vehicle in northbound lanes of the 70th Street and Lake Murray Boulevard overpass of Interstate 8.
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An SDSO canine assisted in the arrest of Bahou, and he was transported to Sharp Memorial hospital for treatment.
Bahou was arrested for felony evasion, resisting arrest and driving under the influence.
