Three DUI Busts After High-Speed Chase and Crash in Leucadia

A high-speed chase that started in Oceanside on Thursday night, April 12, ended in a three-car collision on La Costa Avenue at the I-5 off ramp in Leucadia.

Oceanside police observed a stolen vehicle at 8:12 p.m. and attempted to pull over the driver. The vehicle then headed south on I-5. Due to the high speed and erratic driving of the fleeing vehicle, Oceanside police called off the chase and notified the CHP.

The vehicle exited the freeway at La Costa Avenue. At 8:22 p.m., both San Diego sheriff’s deputies and the CHP received calls about the collision. Carlsbad police were the first to arrive on the scene. The suspect driver had bailed from the vehicle and was nowhere to be found. The sheriff's helicopter also searched in vain.

At least 12 police units were used to block both the northbound and southbound I-5 off-ramps and the La Costa Avenue bridge over the I-5. Motorists traveling east or westbound on La Costa Avenue were instructed to make a U-turn until the area was cleared of the wreckage. All three vehicles involved in the crash were towed away by 11:00 p.m.

As a result of not being able to follow an officer's directions to make a U-turn, three motorists not involved in the collision — traveling from Coast Highway in Leucadia eastbound on La Costa Avenue — were tested for driving under the influence. All three failed field sobriety tests and were subsequently arrested by CHP.