Ventura man arrested for DUI, crashing into parked car

VENTURA, Calif. (KABC) -- A Ventura man was arrested for driving under the influence and hit and run charges after hitting a parked car and leading police officers on a short chase Saturday night.

Around 8 p.m., a Ventura police officer on patrol heard sounds of a car accident and saw a large crowd gathering at the intersection of Solano Street and Berkeley Avenue.

Witnesses in the area said a dark colored SUV fled the scene after hitting a parked car. The impact of the crash had pushed the car onto the driveway of a nearby home and caused the car to flip over onto its roof.

The officer saw the suspect's car fleeing the area and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The suspect then accelerated and fled eastbound on Telegraph Road.

A chase ensued, and the suspect reached speeds of at least 60 miles per hour before turning onto Cambria Avenue and stopping. The extensive damage on the front end of the car from the crash had made it difficult to continue, authorities said.

Additional officers arrived at Cambria Avenue and arrested 27-year-old Sergio Diaz. The investigation determined that Diaz was intoxicated. Witnesses at the crash scene said Diaz had been driving at a high rate of speed.

Tire marks at the scene also indicated that Diaz had drove on the sidewalk for a short time before he fled the scene. The damage to his car caused him to lose control.

Diaz was booked into Ventura County Main Jail for hit and run, evading police and DUI charges. His car was impounded.