The driver of a minivan carrying three children was taken into custody Saturday night after leading authorities on a high-speed pursuit in Southern California that blew through red traffic lights and ended when he bailed from the moving vehicle.
California Highway Patrol officers first reported the minivan reaching speeds of 85 mph on the 5 Freeway near the 405 Freeway in Irvine. The chase eventually made its way onto surface streets in Costa Mesa, where the driver came within feet of other vehicles in cross traffic.
The driver, wearing shorts and a short-sleeve shirt, jumped out of the slow-rolling Toyota minivan near Pacific Avenue and Wilson Street and ran a short distance before being taken down by officers. His head bloodied, he was loaded into the back of an ambulance in handcuffs and taken to the hospital.
Three children, as well as a woman, who were inside the van were not hurt, the CHP said. The relationship between the driver and his passengers was not immediately clear.
Officers said a fight initially led the driver to take off in the van, but no further details were provided.
