Above: Chevy Tahoe after the conclusion of the pursuit
(Photo courtesy of KCSO)
Originally published 9-21-23 via Facebook
by the Kings County Sheriff’s Office:
“On Saturday, September 16, 2023, at approximately 1:20 AM, a Deputy was on a traffic enforcement stop in the 14500 block of Lacey Blvd. A concerned citizen pulled up and informed the Deputy that a Chevrolet Tahoe was “doing circles” in the center of the intersection of 14th Avenue and Lacey Blvd. The Deputy cleared the traffic stop and began driving toward the last reported location of the Tahoe. While enroute, the Deputy was flagged down a second time by a subject who stated the reckless Tahoe had run him off the road.
The Deputy continued to the area and located a Chevrolet Tahoe parked on the side of the road with a subject later identified as Cristian Rodriguez standing next to the vehicle on his cell phone. As the Deputy approached, Cristian got back into the Tahoe. The Deputy noticed Cristian was stumbling as he climbed into Tahoe which led the Deputy to believe Cristian might be under the influence of alcohol.
The Deputy exited his patrol car and ordered Cristian to get out of the Tahoe however Cristian refused. The Deputy made his way toward the Tahoe’s driver’s side window, where he saw Cristian fumbling with the keys and attempting to start the Tahoe. Cristian started the Tahoe and drove back onto the road heading west on Lacey.
The Deputy jumped back into his patrol car and drove after Cristian while activating the overhead lights and siren. Cristain refused to pull over and a high-speed chase took place which traveled approximately 7 miles. During that distance, Cristian drove at speeds up to 100 miles per hour, ran various stop signs, and drove in the wrong lane of travel.
Cristian was traveling westbound on Excelsior Avenue where he lost control of the Tahoe and spun out of control. When the Tahoe came to rest, a high-risk traffic stop was conducted by Deputies.
Cristian exited the Tahoe but refused to obey commands to turn around and place his hands in the air. Rather than follow directions, Cristian yelled at Deputies and walked toward them while lowering his hands toward his waist band.
Deputies took Cristian to the ground and attempted to place handcuffs on him. Cristian put his hands underneath him and resisted the attempts to have his hands pulled out. A Deputy utilized the drive-stun feature of his Taser on Cristian’s torso which caused Cristian to put his hands behind his back where he was handcuffed and arrested.
A California Highway Patrol Officer evaluated Cristian for driving under the influence (DUI). The Officer determined Cristian was DUI.
Cristian was booked into the Kings County Jail on the charges of evading a peace officer, evading a peace officer while traveling the wrong way, resisting arrest and DUI. His bail was set at $45,000. He later posted bail and was released.”
