DATE/TIME: August 16, 2023/ 9:49 p.m.
INCIDENT: Evading a Police Officer with Disregard for Safety, Evading a Police Officer Wrong Way Driver, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol over 0.08%
LOCATION: Sherborn Avenue / Fairburn Street, Hesperia
SUSPECT(S): Leonardo Echea, 36-year-old, resident of Hesperia
SUMMARY:
On August 16, 2023, at about 9:49 p.m., Sergeant Motley with the Hesperia Police Department was traveling north on I Avenue when a black Mercedes SLK 320 traveling south on I Avenue veered into the northbound lane nearly colliding head on into Sergeant Motley’s vehicle.
Sergeant Motley activated his lights and sirens and attempted a traffic stop on the Mercedes. The driver of the Mercedes failed to yield and a pursuit ensued. The driver of the Mercedes led Sergeant Motley on an approximately 1.5-mile pursuit before the driver eventually complied and stopped the vehicle. The driver, identified as Leonardo Echea, 36-year-old, resident of Hesperia, was driving without a valid California driver’s license and suspected to be under the influence of alcohol.
Echea was arrested and booked at the High Desert Detention Center for VC2800.2(A)- Evading a Police Officer with Disregard for Safety, VC2800.4- Evading a Police Officer Wrong Way Driver, VC23152(A)- Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and VC 23152(B)- Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol over 0.08%.
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact the Hesperia Police Department at (760) 947-1500 or Sheriff’s Dispatch at (760) 956-5001. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463) or leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.
Refer: Amanda Paslak, Media Relations
Station: Hesperia Police Department
Phone No. (760) 947-1500
Case No. 192305386
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
