Full Breakdown
San Diego Tesla Chase Ends in Boardwalk Collision and Arrest
By Drooid · · How we work
Incident Overview
Police say Juan Antonio Gonzaba, 39, stole a Tesla in La Jolla on Monday afternoon and fled when officers attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle struck a roadside electrical transformer before the driver accelerated onto the crowded Pacific Beach Boardwalk, where it hit a 25-year-old pedestrian at Thomas and Reed Avenues. Bystanders pursued Gonzaba after he abandoned the car and detained him until police arrived.
Legal Proceedings
Gonzaba was arraigned on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to assault with a deadly weapon, hit-and-run, auto theft and related offenses. Deputy District Attorney Tyler Nigut noted the suspect faces up to 24 years and eight months in state prison if convicted on all counts and is being held without bail. Although officers observed signs of intoxication, Gonzaba is not currently charged with a DUI while blood-test results remain pending.
Victim Impact
San Diego police reported the woman suffered two fractured right ribs, two fractured vertebrae and an abdominal laceration requiring 20 stitches. She remained hospitalized as of the arraignment.
Official Statements
Deputy District Attorney Nigut emphasized that the pursuit was terminated after the car hit the transformer because of escalating public-safety risks.
Verbatim Quotes
- “A lot of people dove out of the way very quickly and it really could have been so much worse,” — Candace Hadley