The People v. Diaz CA2/6

Facts and Procedural History On July 19, 2012, at 3:00 in the afternoon, Oxnard Police Officer Matthew Ross was on patrol and saw appellant driving a blue Honda on Ventura Road near Doris Avenue with an inoperable signal light. Officer Ross activated his emergency lights to make a traffic top. Appellant appeared to be angry and led Officer Ross on a two to three mile car chase. Appellant turned down a residential street, accelerated rapidly, and drove 25 to 60 miles per hour in a residential area that had a posted speed limit of 25 miles per hour. Appellant ran a stop sign, turned right onto Ventura Road, and drove past gas stations, fast food restaurants, and pedestrians. At the intersection of Ventura Road and Gonzales Road, appellant drove through a gas station and went westbound on Gonzales Road, accelerating up to 50 or 60 miles per hour. Turning left onto Gallatin Place, appellant drove 40 to 50 miles per hour through a residential area as Officer Ross chased him with his siren and emergency lights activated. At the intersection of Ivywood Drive and Ventura Road, appellant ran a red light and hit a Chevy Malibu. Appellant sped off, making unsafe lane changes and forcing…