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Driver in I-5 Pursuit Runs Into Bay at Park in Coronado

The pursuit began on I-5 at Front Street during a traffic stop and went on to shut down traffic in both directions on the Coronado Bay Bridge

A wrong-way driver who led police on a pursuit on Interstate 5, across the Coronado Bay Bridge and, ultimately, into a park, tried to flee officers by running into the waters of the San Diego Bay.

The San Diego Police Department (SDPD) confirmed the chase ended with the suspect running into the water at Centennial Park on 1st Street in Coronado. By 3 p.m., he was under arrest.

SDPD Officer Billy Hernandez said the bizarre pursuit stemmed from a traffic stop. At around 2:30 p.m., officers tried to pull the suspect over on southbound Interstate 5 at Front Street after an officer saw the car zig zagging through traffic. Instead of complying, the driver fled.

Raw news chopper video of the end of a police pursuit which took officers on southbound I-5, across the Coronado Bridge and into Centennial Park. There, the driver involved in the pursuit tried to flee police by running into the waters of the San Diego Bay.

Officers pursued the driver, who turned around and drove the wrong way down Southbound I-5, then turned around again and headed toward the Coronado Bay Bridge. 

Authorities shut down traffic on the Coronado Bay Bridge in both directions as the suspect sped across the busy bridge.

While on the bridge, the suspect got out of his car, then got back inside and kept driving to Coronado. 

The driver made his way to the community park, which overlooks the bay.

He stopped at the park when his car broke down and he ran to the water.

News chopper footage showed dozens of police officers surrounding the park amid the incident.

Meanwhile, traffic on southbound I-5 was backed up for miles following the pursuit, with speeds at a crawl all the way to Front Street, Kettner Boulevard and Pacific Highway.

The driver, who has not been identified, faces violation of parole and felony evading charges. 

No other information was available. Get traffic updates here.

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