Suspected Driver Evades Authorities by Swimming in Harbor After Crashing Into Building

SILVER STRAND, OXNARD, CA, July 18 (KNN) — A suspected driver involved in a solo vehicle injury traffic collision fled to harbor waters to evade officers.

California Highway Patrol Ventura units and allied agencies responded to a vehicle into The Corner Store on the 2400 block of Roosevelt Boulevard within the Silver Strand community of Ventura County shortly after 11 p.m.

When first responders arrived on scene, they located an Infinity sedan with a destroyed front end partially through the wall of the store.

The CHP reported the male driver, 31, lost control of his vehicle causing his Infiniti to leave the roadway and collide into The Corner Store. Following the crash, the driver fled on foot.

According to the CHP, three people inside the store were reported injured from the collision. Two employees of the store, along with a teen, were transported with moderate injuries to local hospitals.

A Ventura County Harbor Patrol boat in the vicinity located the fleeing driver swimming in the harbor nearby.

CHP and Ventura County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the area to make contact with the suspect who was being uncooperative and continued to evade authorities via swimming.

Several CHP officers hopped aboard the Harbor Patrol boat and engaged in a water pursuit.

The man eventually climbed onto a dock where he was intercepted by CHP officers who then deployed a taser.

The suspect fell back into the water as he was being tased.

He eventually surrendered and was taken into custody on suspicion of DUI without further incident, according to the CHP.

Gabriel Pabon, Video Journalist / KNN