GILROY
– A Gilroy man driving under the influence of alcohol and
rampaging through the city forced a one-and a half mile police
chase Saturday night through the city core that ended with the man
crashing into a parked car on Sixth Street just west of Santa
Theresa Drive.
Man charged with two felonies, multiple misdemeanors
By ZEB CARABELLO
GILROY – A Gilroy man driving under the influence of alcohol and rampaging through the city forced a one-and a half mile police chase Saturday night through the city core that ended with the man crashing into a parked car on Sixth Street just west of Santa Theresa Drive.
Nineteen-year-old Javier Ruiz of the 1300 block of First Street was arrested and is charged with assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly trying to hit a pedestrian with his car and evading the police, both felonies, along with several misdemeanors, including Driving Under the Influence and two hit and runs. Only Ruiz was injured in the incident.
Police received the first call reporting Ruiz’s dangerous driving at 9:08 p.m. when it was reported that he drove into a parked car on Sixth Street just east of Eigleberry Street. A short time later Ruiz hit another parked car near Church and Eighth streets.
Following the second hit-and-run, police spotted Ruiz and tried to pull him over, but he fled. Another police car joined the chase down Sixth Street and Ruiz finally crashed into a car parked in the 900 block of Sixth Street.
Ruiz was injured in the accident and taken by AMR LifeFlight to San Jose Medical Center with breathing problems, and his current status is unknown. It is not known what Ruiz’s blood alcohol level was.
