Man crashes into Tesla multiple times, arrested in Oakhurst

OAKHURST, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – A man from Los Angeles has been arrested in Oakhurst on Wednesday following a pursuit in a stolen vehicle after throwing beer cans out the window and hitting a Tesla several times, the California Highway Patrol said.

Officers say they were alerted to “be on the lookout” on Aug. 21 at around 2:41 p.m. for a silver Kia Soul wanted in a pursuit within Yosemite National Park by park rangers.

According to CHP, the driver of the Kia, a 40-year-old man from Los Angeles, was reported driving recklessly in the park while throwing beer cans out of his window.

Later, officers say they were advised that the Kia crashed on White Chief Mountain Road in Fishcamp, just north of, and above, the Tenaya Lodge, and the suspect fled on the bicycle. CHP was advised of a carjacking that occurred at the Tenaya Lodge and the vehicle carjacked was a silver Kia Optima.

In the meantime, a black Tesla sedan was traveling on Highway 41, north of Hodges Hill Drive, in the vicinity of three new hotels. According to CHP, the carjacked Kia was slowly moving on the right shoulder of Highway 41 ahead of the Tesla. CHP says the Tesla passed the Kia and the driver of the Kia accelerated and began intentionally crashing into the rear of the Tesla.

Investigators say the driver and the passenger of the Tesla attempted to escape from the Kia, but the driver of the Kia continued to intentionally crash into the rear sides of the Tesla through Oakhurst. Since the Tesla captured the incident with its cameras, officers obtained it for evidence.

Then, detectives say a Mariposa County Sheriff’s deputy, who had been alerted of the situation, intercepted the Kia and the Tesla in the vicinity of Victoria Lane while the Kia was still intentionally crashing into the Tesla.

A pursuit ensued which CHP says ended when the driver of the Kia crashed into a fence in the vicinity of Maddie Fhy Road and was taken into custody. He was later booked into the Mariposa County jail on suspicion of numerous charges.

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