A suspected drunken driver led deputies on a pursuit in Hemet during which he drove into oncoming traffic until crashing into a sign, authorities said Thursday.
Daniel George Hardesty, 27, of Golden, Colorado, was arrested and booked into the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning Wednesday on suspicion of felony evading, reckless driving and driving under the influence. He’s being held on $100,000 bail.
According to Riverside County sheriff’s Sgt. Brad Farwell, about 5 p.m. Wednesday, patrol deputies spotted Hardesty in East Hemet driving erratically and attempted to stop him, but the suspect allegedly sped away west into Hemet.
“He fled from law enforcement and drove in a reckless manner, including running stop signs and driving into oncoming traffic,” Farwell said.
The suspect lost control of his sedan in the 900 block of East Florida Avenue, near State Street, plowing into a street sign, at which point his vehicle stalled, according to the sergeant.
Deputies immediately took him into custody without further incident. Hardesty was not injured, nor were any deputies or other motorists, Farwell said.
The suspect has no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.