Sheriff: Alleged hit-and-run driver had baby daughter with him

Feb 12, 2008

By: North County Times

VISTA ---- A man arrested last night for multiple hit-and-run crashes had no driver's license or identification and was driving with his one-year-old daughter in his sport-utility-vehicle during the spree of crashes and a chase that reached speeds near 100 mph, said Sgt. Cliston Hensley of the San Marcos Sheriff's Substation.

The man was booked into Vista Jail last night as "John Doe," as he refused to identify himself, Hensley said. He has since been identified as Luis Umberto Perez, 21, of San Marcos, Sheriff's Lt. Phil Brust said.

He faces two felony and four misdemeanor charges including drunken-driving in connection with the incident, Brust said, and is being held on approximately $130,800 bail. His initial appearance is scheduled for Friday.

The man's daughter was released to her mother, Hensley said.

The man was driving a white Ford Explorer, the California Highway Patrol said, and is suspected of being responsible for a string of about six hit-and-run crashes reported in San Marcos and Vista Monday night, Hensley said. Two were confirmed to have occurred in San Marcos, three were reported to have occurred on westbound Highway 78 and at least one is reported to have occurred in Vista, Hensley said.

The two confirmed crashes occurred about 6:45 p.m., Hensley said. One was near the intersection of South Rancho Santa Fe Road and Linda Vista Drive and caused major damage to the other vehicle, Sheriff's Sgt. Kelly Stuart said Monday night. No injuries were reported, she said. The other was at 120 South Rancho Santa Fe Road, she said, and caused minor damage and no injuries.

The man then got on westbound Highway 78 and is suspected to have hit three more vehicles, Hensley said, although no damages or injuries have been reported from those crashes. He then exited in Vista and was eventually stopped by California Highway Patrol officers near the intersection of Hibiscus and Sycamore Avenues, Stuart said.

Officers had been in pursuit of him during a chase that reached speeds close to 100 mph, Hensley said.

If you were in a car that sustained damage from a hit-and-run in Vista or San Marcos Monday night, you're encouraged to contact Sheriff's Deputy Steve Bentz at (760) 510-5212.

www.nctimes.com

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Checked the jail records for San Diego:

Requested charge information for booking number: 8110583
(Only active charges and arrests are shown.)

Arrest: 1
Charge#: 1
Bail Flag: Y
Bail Amount:$25,000.00
Description:EVADE POISREGARD SAFETY
Code:VC
Statute:2800.2(A) VC


Arrest: 1
Charge#: 2
Bail Flag: Y
Bail Amount:$100,000.00
Description:CHILD CRUELTY:POS INJ/DTH
Code:PC
Statute:273A(A) PC


Arrest: 1
Charge#: 3
Bail Flag: Y
Bail Amount:$2,500.00
DescriptionUI:ALCOHOL/DRUGS
Code:VC
Statute:23152(A)/23152(B) VC


Arrest: 1
Charge#: 4
Bail Flag: Y
Bail Amount:$1,000.00
Description:HIT AND RUN:PROP DAMAGE
Code:VC
Statute:20002(A) VC


Arrest: 1
Charge#: 5
Bail Flag: Y
Bail Amount:$1,000.00
Description:HIT AND RUN:PROP DAMAGE
Code:VC
Statute:20002(A) VC


Arrest: 1
Charge#: 6
Bail Flag: Y
Bail Amount:$1,000.00
Description:RECKLESS DRIVING:HIGHWAY
Code:VC
Statute:23103(A) VC


Arrest: 1
Charge#: 7
Bail Flag: Y
Bail Amount:$320.00
DescriptionRIVE W/O LICENSE
Code:VC
Statute:12500(A) VC


Arrest: 2
Charge#: 1
Bail Flag:
Bail Amount:$0.00
Description:Rel Dt/Tm: Agency: ICE
Code:
Statute:HOLD