On Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at approximately 0444 hours, a Deputy was travelling north on Highway 41 near Elgin Avenue. The Deputy looked in the rearview mirror and saw a Honda Civic turn south into the northbound lane of Highway 41. The Deputy saw the Honda quickly back up in reverse and it appeared to have been involved in a collision. Before the Deputy could check on the occupants of the Honda, the Honda turned around and began driving at a high rate of speed. The Honda passed the Deputy heading north at approximately 85 mile per hour. The driver of the Honda was later identified as 19-year-old Israel Cervantes Gonzales of Madera.
The Deputy activated his lights and siren and began chasing after Israel who refused to pull over. The chase continued until Israel suddenly slammed on his brakes near Laguna Avenue in southern Fresno County and turned east. He drove through a barbed wire fence and into an orchard, where he ran from the Honda.
Deputies searched the area and located Israel walking between an orchard and an open field where he was taken into custody. Israel had symptoms of being under the influence of a controlled substance. A subsequent test revealed that Israel had Methamphetamine in his system.
The investigation revealed that Israel struck a semi-truck shortly before the pursuit ensued. The California Highway Patrol investigated the collision. The driver of the simi truck was uninjured.
Israel was booked into the Kings County Jail on the charges of evading a peace officer with wanton disregard for safety, resisting arrest and driving under the influence. His bail was set at $25,000.
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