Driver Who Hit Dog in Pursuit Pleads Guilty

A driver who hit a dog while fleeing police in South LA pleaded guilty to charges, prosecutors said

A man who led authorities on a televised police pursuit, which resulted in the injury of a dog, pleaded guilty Friday and was sentenced to two years in prison, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said.

Yovani Rodriguez, 21, of Los Angeles, was charged and convicted of one felony count each of fleeing a pursuing peace officer's motor vehicle while driving recklessly, and driving or taking a vehicle without consent, as well as one misdemeanor count of hit-and-run driving resulting in property damage.

A restitution hearing is scheduled for Oct. 20.

The incident happened Wednesday after a CHP officer spotted a stolen vehicle near Manchester and Central avenues and a pursuit began.

During the chase, the driver ran red lights, drove in opposing lanes of of traffic and struck a dog named Gordo.

After nearly an hour, authorities were able to disable the stolen vehicle and arrested the driver, who was later identified as Rodriguez.

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