Drunk-Driving Suspect Flees, Eludes Officers in Hills Off I-5
CASTAIC — A drunk-driving suspect who escaped on foot as a California Highway Patrol officer attempted to handcuff him was still missing Monday, a day after he disappeared into the hilly terrain near the Kern and Los Angeles county line, authorities said.
Mauricio Martin Olvera, 29, of Pacoima, was stopped on the Golden State Freeway about 8:30 p.m. Sunday, CHP Officer Doug Sweeney said.
The incident began when an officer patrolling the southbound lanes north of Smokey Bear Road in Los Angeles County spotted a suspected drunk driver and pulled him over.
The officer talked to Olvera and was starting to handcuff him when the man dashed down an embankment on the south side of the freeway, Sweeney said.
The officer gave chase but could not catch Olvera. A few minutes later, Olvera was seen crossing the northbound lanes and running into the terrain on the north side of the freeway, Sweeney said.
A search involving three CHP units from the Fort Tejon area, five units from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and a sheriff’s helicopter was called off about 10 p.m.
Monday morning, the search was resumed.
If captured, Olvera could face drunk-driving and resisting-arrest charges, Sweeney said.
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