People v. Dawson CA2/2

FACTS

Prosecution Evidence March 25, 2011 Incident (Counts 1 Through 3) On March 25, 2011, at approximately 8:15 p.m., Officers Jonathan Miller and Javier Hernandez of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) were on patrol in the Wilshire district of Los Angeles when they saw a black GMC Yukon being driven without its lights on. Officer Hernandez began to follow the Yukon. The officers observed the Yukon’s driver, later identified as defendant, commit numerous traffic violations, and they formed the opinion he might be driving under the influence. The officers activated the patrol car’s sirens and lights, and defendant accelerated. It was a residential area, and there were some people and other cars on the streets. Defendant drove into oncoming traffic lanes to run through a red light. After driving through several stop signs, defendant eventually stopped his car and was told to get out of his vehicle. Officer Miller estimated that the pursuit lasted approximately five to 10 minutes. Officer Miller observed that defendant had an unsteady gait, bloodshot and watery eyes, and slightly slurred speech. Officer Hernandez saw that defendant’s face was flushed. Both officers could…