People v. Rivera CA3

FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS

On May 25, 2013, Lodi Police Officer Jose Nuno and his partner Officer Nick Rafiq were on patrol in Lodi. Around 5:30 p.m. Nuno attempted to stop a white Chevy truck with an expired registration. When Nuno turned on the patrol car’s emergency lights, the driver, later identified as defendant, stopped the truck at the curb. But as Nuno began to get out of the patrol car, defendant drove off. Nuno went back to the patrol car, turned on the lights and siren, and chased the truck while calling for police back-up. During the pursuit, defendant drove in excess of posted speed limits, failed to stop at nine posted stop signs, failed to stop at several traffic lights, and accelerated to 80 to 90 miles per hour. Defendant finally came to a stop near a park, where a large family gathering was taking place. Nuno stopped his patrol car behind defendant. Nuno and Rafiq then saw the truck’s reverse lights come on, the rear tires accelerate, and the truck move backward toward the patrol car. The truck struck the patrol car and the rear of the truck became stuck on the hood of the patrol car, pushing the patrol car backward, leaving skid marks. Defendant then put the truck…