Deputy Injured During Pursuit Through La Puente, City of Industry

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

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CITY OF INDUSTRY - A man wanted for reckless driving was taken into custody after recklessly fleeing deputies late Thursday night.

The driver, identified as 24-year-old Carlos Barrera, was booked on suspicion of DUI, felony evading and assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, according to Sgt. Molina of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Industry Station.

The pursuit began around 11:23 p.m. in the area of Hambeldon Avenue and Valley Boulevard, Molina told SGV CityWatch.

Barrera was reportedly weaving across all lanes and refused to stop, according to Sheriff’s radio traffic.

Barrera allegedly at first led deputies on an exceedingly slow pursuit, sometimes moving at 10 miles per hour.

A deputy successfully used the PIT maneuver on Barrera, who then allegedly rammed the deputy’s patrol vehicle at Hurley Street and South Shipman Avenue, wounding him, according to Sheriff’s radio traffic.

“He suffered swelling and pain to his left knee,” Molina said of the injured deputy.

When the crash occurred, the deputy wound up halfway outside his damaged patrol vehicle, Molina told SGV CityWatch.

As the pursuit progressed, Barrera allegedly increased his speed to around 60 miles per hour while slithering through residential and business areas.

The patrol vehicle allegedly struck by Barrera was still operational, despite spraying engine fluid on the windshield, according to Sheriff’s radio traffic.

After Barrera slowed down, deputies attempted two more PIT maneuvers, the third times the charm with the suspect’s vehicle becoming disabled at Temple Avenue and Greycliff.

Barrera allegedly refused to surrender.

Deputies fired pepper ball rounds to get Berrera to flee, Molina told SGV CityWatch.

Barrera finally did surrender.