Suspect evades Irvine traffic stop, leads police on chase to Corona

Police arrested a motorist suspected of fleeing a crash in Irvine and leading officers in a pursuit that ended in Corona on Tuesday, Jan. 15.

The chase began at 2:21 p.m. near the intersection of Culver Drive and Barranca Parkway, said Kim Mohr, a spokeswoman for the Irvine Police Department. She said officers attempted to stop a vehicle that had been described by a resident who had called police in regards to a welfare check.

The driver sped off in a black pickup truck, striking a vehicle and occasionally driving into oncoming traffic before merging on to the 261 Toll Road, according to Mohr. She said the suspect transitioned onto the 241 Toll Road before heading east on the 91 Freeway.

The pickup’s driver got as far as the Green River off-ramp in Corona, where he surrendered and was subsequently arrested at 2:42 p.m., according to Irvine Police Lt. Matt McLaughlin. He said the suspect was booked on suspicion of felony evading arrest and misdemeanor hit-and-run.

Authorities did not immediately release the identity of the driver.

McLaughlin said no injuries were reported during the incident.