Santa Ana DUI driver arrested after fleeing from a Costa Mesa police officer

Brian Reyes, a 25-year-old Santa Ana man, was arrested early today on suspicion of driving under the influence after colliding at a 405 freeway on-ramp, nearly hitting a parked car and leading police on a chase, according to the O.C. Register.

A Costa Mesa police officer was on patrol near the South Coast Plaza this morning at 4:12 a.m. when he heard tires screeching at Bear Street and South Coast Plaza Drive.

When the police officer arrived at the scene he saw the driver of a Jeep Cherokee nearly crash into a parked vehicle, according to the Costa Mesa Police Department. The police officer then tried to pull over the Jeep but the driver stepped on the gas and ran a red light. The Jeep’s driver then took off, periodically alternating between high speeds and then slowing down, with the Costa Mesa policeman in pursuit in his squad car.

The police officer was finally able to stop the Jeep near Pacific Avenue and Warner Avenue in Santa Ana.

The driver turned out to be Reyes. He was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and he also had two outstanding warrants on the same charges.

To complete Reyes’ latest adventure, the Costa Mesa police found that the front of his car had been damaged, which led them to believe that he may have been in a recent collision. They then retraced his route and found evidence of a crash on the northbound 405 Fwy. on-ramp, from southbound Bristol Street.