Man Arrested For DUI After Lake Elsinore Car Chase, Crash

LAKE ELSINORE, CA -- A local man has been arrested on charges of felony evasion, hit and run, and driving while under the influence of drugs and or alcohol following a car chase and crash.

According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Dept., it all began about 9:20 pm Wednesday, July 24 when a deputy assigned to the Lake Elsinore Station observed an occupied vehicle parked with its lights off in a residential area near Lakeshore Drive and Bushman Street in Lake Elsinore.

The driver of the vehicle, later identified as 35-year-old Lake Elsinore resident Christopher Ryan Padilla, allegedly fled when the deputy made a U-turn to investigate the vehicle. According to the Sheriff's Dept., the vehicle fled onto Lakeshore Drive at a high rate of speed and committed several severe moving violations to evade the deputy.

The driver of the vehicle then allegedly entered the intersection of Riverside Drive and Lincoln Street against a red traffic signal and collided with a vehicle that was lawfully within the intersection. The deputy arrived at the intersection within seconds and apprehend the driver, who attempted to flee the scene on foot.

Padilla was arrested for felony evading, hit and run, and driving while under the Influence of drugs and or alcohol. Padilla was booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center.

The suspect and the occupants of the other vehicle were not injured in the collision, according to the Sheriff's Dept.

The investigation is ongoing; anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Deputy Kramer of the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station at (951) 245-3300.