SANTA CRUZ — A 34-year-old commercial transport driver was arrested Thursday night after an alleged DUI hit-and-run and police pursuit.
Shortly before 9 p.m., multiple citizens reported seeing a semi-truck swerving and traveling in the wrong direction on local roads. A traffic signal light also was reportedly struck and knocked over by a semitruck at the same time, according to emergency dispatch recordings.
Police soon spotted a white Freightliner truck, matching the same description and license plate, traveling southbound on Highway 1. The driver allegedly refused to pull to a stop for police and continued southbound on the highway. Santa Cruz officers ended their pursuit after the driver traveled past the Freedom Boulevard exit. The California Highway Patrol stepped in and, with the help of a spike strip, managed to stop Gregorio Alcaraz, of Littlerock, California, at the Dolan Road turnoff in Moss Landing in Monterey County.
CHP officers reported finding a concealed handgun inside the truck.
Alcaraz was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, evading a peace officer and possession of a concealed firearm. He was transported back to Santa Cruz County, held in lieu of $500 bail. Alcarez was no longer listed as a Santa Cruz County Jail inmate as of Friday morning.
Source: www.mercurynews.com