Pair arrested after pursuit, crash
The driver of a Bentley convertible crashed into another car after speeding away from Newport Beach police officers during a routine traffic stop Sunday night, authorities said.
Police stopped the Bentley’s driver, Don William Jackson, 37, of Whittier, and passenger Gary Edward Sarria, 39, of Huntington Beach at Newport Boulevard and 20th Street at 8:16 p.m., said Jennifer Manzella, spokeswoman for the Newport Beach Police Department.
As an officer approached the vehicle, Jackson allegedly sped off toward the 55 Freeway. Police pursued the Bentley on the 55, but the pursuit was called off because Jackson was driving recklessly, Manzella said.
“The watch commander had to make a judgment call,” she said. “We don’t ever want to trade off public safety for the opportunity to catch someone right now if we can get them tomorrow safely.”
Several minutes later, police were notified that the Bentley had been involved in a crash near the 55 and Edinger Avenue in Tustin.
Sarria was taken into custody at the scene on suspicion of obstructing a police officer. Jackson fled on foot but
was taken into custody on suspicion of evading an officer with disregard to public safety about a mile from the accident site by another law enforcement agency, Manzella said.
— Hannah Fry