Full Breakdown
Bicycle Rider Helps Subdue Suspect After Stolen Tesla Crashes on Pacific Beach Boardwalk
By Drooid · · How we work
Incident Overview
On Monday afternoon a 39-year-old man identified as Juan Gonzaba stole a blue Tesla and led San Diego police on a pursuit that diverted onto the Pacific Beach boardwalk. While traveling at a “high rate of speed,” the vehicle struck a 25-year-old woman, causing serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Bystander Alex Srour, a 20-year-old Lakeside resident and college student, was riding his bike when he heard a warning shout and saw the car barrel toward him. He abandoned his bike, recorded the scene with his Meta Glasses, and chased the driver after the car stopped a few feet ahead. Srour and another bystander tackled Gonzaba in a nearby parking lot until officers arrived and placed him in custody.
Police Findings and Charges
San Diego police released a statement confirming Gonzaba’s arrest on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, hit-and-run involving injury, felony evading of police, and vehicle theft. He was held on $100,000 bail and is slated for arraignment at San Diego Superior Court. The department noted that the chase was called off for public-safety reasons before the suspect turned onto Pacific Beach Drive and entered the boardwalk.
Injuries and Victim Details
The woman struck between Reed and Thomas streets sustained two broken vertebrae, two broken ribs, and an abdominal laceration that required stitches. Police described her injuries as serious but not life-threatening.
Public Reaction and Video Reach
Srour uploaded the footage to Instagram, where it amassed approximately 2.6 million views within 24 hours. The video shows pedestrians scrambling to avoid the car, a woman leaping over a railing, and the suspect exiting the vehicle with a shirt reading “F— around and find out.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “He’s like barreling at me 20 feet away,” — Alex Srour, a Lakeside resident and college student
- “I kind of had a feeling he’s gonna run,” — Alex Srour, a Lakeside resident and college student