Lakeport >> Police arrested a man after a vehicle pursuit that reached speeds in excess of 90 mph and lasted more than 40 minutes Sunday evening.
Jose Aguilar allegedly traveled over 28 miles on Highway 29 and residential streets in Lakeport and Kelseyville, driving through stop signs and on the wrong side of the road at times turning off the lights on his 2001 Nissan Pathfinder as he attempted to flee police, according to authorities.
A Lakeport officer reportedly tried to initiate contact with Aguilar, 22, when he noticed the suspect driving in the area of the 1500 block of North Main Street shortly after 9 p.m. The officer was familiar with the Lakeport resident, knowing he had a suspended driver’s license and was on active California Department of Corrections Parole, according to Sgt. Michael Sobieraj of the Lakeport Police Department (LPD). Aguilar, however, fled and allegedly drove through Main Street in Lakeport at speeds more than double the limit. Sunday rain made the streets slick and exacerbated the erratic driving.
The suspect made his way to Kelseyville where speeds topped 90 mph, Sobieraj said. While on the city’s Main Street, Aguilar reportedly drove onto the embankment of Kelseyville High School, hitting two steel poles and nearly rolling his vehicle.
The California Highway Patrol joined the pursuit to lay down spike strips which Aguilar managed to avoid by driving on side streets, Sobieraj said. At Soda Bay Road and Big Valley Road, an LPD officer got in front of Aguilar to slow him down and warn others of his driving into oncoming traffic.
Then at Soda Bay Road and Highway 175, officers say Aguilar turned onto Highway 29 northbound and headed back toward Lakeport where he again reached speeds of more than 90 mph.
Aguilar exited on 11th Street, and a Lakeport officer attempted to ram him to stop him from getting back into town but slick roads again caused an issue and Aguilar drove back through town.
He eventually pulled into the Willow Point Trailer Resort on First Street. Aguilar was taken into custody facing charges of felony evading police with disregard for public safety, a parole violation, hit and run and driving on a suspended license recklessly.
He has prior arrests and state prison time for assault with a deadly weapon, possession of controlled substance for sale and battery with serious bodily injury. Aguilar remains in the Lake County Jail on a no-bail charge.
