People v. Meza CA5

FACTS

On June 27, 2013, at approximately 7:00 p.m., Clovis Police Corporal Kory Westbury was dispatched in his patrol truck to University Market in Clovis, California, on a report of a light colored Lexus with red paper plates from Premier Auto being driven recklessly. In route he saw a vehicle matching the description traveling east on Shaw Avenue (Shaw). Westbury made a U-turn and began following the Lexus as it drifted from the middle lane in and out of the lane closest to the sidewalk. At Clovis Avenue, the Lexus turned south and accelerated. Westbury followed the Lexus and attempted to stop it by activating his red light and siren. The Lexus, however, accelerated away from the officer at approximately 80 miles an hour, and Westbury called in a pursuit. The Lexus cut off vehicles and drove in and out of traffic, making other vehicles slam on their brakes or causing them to have to change their lane of travel. At Clovis Avenue and Ashlan Avenue (Ashlan), the Lexus ran a red light as it turned west onto Ashlan, which

All further statutory references are to the Penal Code unless otherwise indicated.

2 caused several other vehicles to slam on their brakes to avoid a…