DUI Driver Nearly Hits Pedestrians, Kicks Cop: Corona Police

CORONA, CA — A 28-year-old man suspected of driving under the influence in Corona, nearly hitting pedestrians, then kicking a patrol officer when he attempted to arrest him, was behind bars Thursday.

Chuk Ukpechvkwuka of Los Angeles was arrested and booked into the Robert Presley Jail in Riverside early Tuesday morning on suspicion of battery on a peace officer, resisting arrest, obstructing a law enforcement official, DUI, assault with a deadly weapon and reckless driving.

The suspect is being held on $100,000 bail.

According to the Corona Police Department, shortly after 9 p.m. on Christmas Day, multiple witnesses in the 1300 block of Roadrunner Drive, near Vanderbilt Circle, called 911 reporting that a dark-colored BMW was driving too fast on the residential street and "appeared to attempt to run into pedestrians intentionally."

No injuries were reported.

Patrol officers headed to the area and soon spotted the BMW idling in a gas station parking lot on West Foothill Parkway, police said.

When an officer tried to detain Ukpechvkwuka, the suspect "fought with the officer and kicked him before running away," according to a police statement.

"The officer tackled the suspect a short distance away and successfully arrested him with the help of additional officers," the agency stated.

The lawman suffered a superficial injury to one of his hands while making the arrest, officials said.

The suspect was not hurt. Background information on him was unavailable.