A Cypress man pleaded not guilty Monday to criminal counts stemming from a police pursuit that ended with a crash at the Manhattan Beach Pier.
Devin Ashley Chavez, 28, faces one felony count each of fleeing a pursuing peace officer, driving against traffic and fleeing a pursuing peace officer while driving recklessly. Chavez is also charged with one misdemeanor count each of driving under the influence of alcohol and possessing a controlled substance — cocaine.
Just before 1 a.m. Thursday, police spotted Chavez driving in the dark without his headlights, authorities said. When the officers tried to pull him over, Chavez allegedly sped away on Manhattan Beach Boulevard.
Police said they eventually broke off the chase, but that Chavez crashed the vehicle he was driving through a barrier at the pier, then the vehicle slammed into a concrete bench.
Chavez is being held on $150,000 bail. He is due back in court on Nov. 25, when a preliminary hearing date is expected to be set.
If convicted as charged, Chavez faces a maximum of four years and six months in prison.
– City News Service