After failing to pull over for a traffic stop, a suspect led a police officer on a short pursuit that ended abruptly when the suspect crashed their Corvette into a tree, according to the Brea Police Department.
The driver wasn’t just in a hurry; a search of the vehicle revealed a loaded handgun and a controlled substance.
The suspect was taken into custody without further incident.
Penalties faced by the suspect
In 2026, a suspect who leads police on a pursuit, crashes into a tree, and is found with a loaded handgun and narcotics in Brea, CA, faces multiple felony charges with combined potential prison time of over 7 years.
Primary Charges and Penalties
- Possession of a Controlled Substance While Armed (HS 11370.1): This is a “straight felony” that cannot be reduced to a misdemeanor. It is punishable by two, three, or four years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000. A conviction for this offense makes the suspect ineligible for drug diversion programs.
- Reckless Evading of a Peace Officer (VC 2800.2): Fleeing from police with “willful or wanton disregard” for safety—indicated here by the crash—is a “wobbler” but typically charged as a felony. A felony conviction carries 16 months, two, or three years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
- Carrying a Loaded Firearm in Public (PC 25850): Because the firearm was carried during the commission of another crime (evading), it is likely to be charged as a felony. This carries a sentence of 16 months, two, or three years in state prison.
Additional Consequences
- Vehicle and License Penalties: The suspect’s Corvette can be impounded for up to 30 days. Their driver’s license will likely be suspended or revoked, and two points will be added to their DMV record.
- Lifetime Firearm Ban: Any felony conviction under these statutes results in a permanent lifetime prohibition from owning or possessing firearms in California.
- Immigration Risks: For non-citizens, these are “deportable offenses” that can lead to immediate removal and permanent inadmissibility to the U.S..
- Restitution: The suspect will likely be ordered to pay for the damage caused to the tree and any other public or private property struck during the pursuit.