Suspected Drunk Driver Crashes into 3 Cars in Reseda (KTLA / December 10, 2010) |
NORTHRIDGE ( KTLA) -- A man suspected of driving under the influence is in custody after he led police on a chase that ended in a multi-vehicle crash in Northridge.
Rene Barrantes, 57, of Woodland Hills, now faces several charges, including reckless driving and a possible DUI charge, pending the outcome of drug and alcohol tests.
A concerned motorist reported an erratic drier to the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff's Station just before 8 p.m. Friday night.
A field sergeant spotted the driver in a 2010 Mazda sedan, swerving in and out of traffic as he entered the eastbound 101 Freeway at Malibu Canyon Road.
The sergeant tried to pull the vehicle over, and the driver stopped several hundred yards from the ramp. As the sergeant approached the car, however, Berrantes sped away with his emergency flashers on.
Several minutes later, the officer caught up with the vehicle. Berrantes had turned off all his lights.
The sergeant was joined in the pursuit by another deputy. They followed the suspect to the White Oak Avenue offramp, where they tried to pull him over again.
Berrantes ignored them, and continued weaving recklessly through traffic on White Oak Avenue. He turned westbound onto Victory Boulevard, and then northbound onto Reseda Boulevard, running five or six red lights.
He eventually slammed into four other vehicles on Nordhoff Street, just west of Balboa Boulevard.
Berrantes was trapped inside his car and had to be rescued. He was treated for injuries and booked at the L.A. County Jail.
Up to six other people suffered minor to moderate injuries in the collision.
The crash is now being investigated by the LAPD.
Rene Barrantes, 57, of Woodland Hills, now faces several charges, including reckless driving and a possible DUI charge, pending the outcome of drug and alcohol tests.
A concerned motorist reported an erratic drier to the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff's Station just before 8 p.m. Friday night.
A field sergeant spotted the driver in a 2010 Mazda sedan, swerving in and out of traffic as he entered the eastbound 101 Freeway at Malibu Canyon Road.
The sergeant tried to pull the vehicle over, and the driver stopped several hundred yards from the ramp. As the sergeant approached the car, however, Berrantes sped away with his emergency flashers on.
Several minutes later, the officer caught up with the vehicle. Berrantes had turned off all his lights.
The sergeant was joined in the pursuit by another deputy. They followed the suspect to the White Oak Avenue offramp, where they tried to pull him over again.
Berrantes ignored them, and continued weaving recklessly through traffic on White Oak Avenue. He turned westbound onto Victory Boulevard, and then northbound onto Reseda Boulevard, running five or six red lights.
He eventually slammed into four other vehicles on Nordhoff Street, just west of Balboa Boulevard.
Berrantes was trapped inside his car and had to be rescued. He was treated for injuries and booked at the L.A. County Jail.
Up to six other people suffered minor to moderate injuries in the collision.
The crash is now being investigated by the LAPD.
