Allegedly Drunk Driver Hits 100 Miles per Hour Hurtling Down Fair Oaks Ave., Then Crashes

An allegedly drunk driver hurtled down Fair Oaks Avenue about 12:25 a.m. this morning at speeds over 100 miles per hour until he sideswiped a parked car and slammed into a light standard at Orange Grove Boulevard, police said.

Sgt. John Mercado said the driver, whom he identified as 22-year-old Angel Salazar of Pasadena, suffered only a moderate injury to his mouth.

Police were originally called to North Fair Oaks Avenue near Hammond Street by a witness who saw a black SUV driving erratically, Mercado said.

As officers drove north, Salazar’s car drove past them heading south at a very high rate of speed. Officers turned to give chase but lost sight of the car. Proceeding along Fair Oaks Ave., they found the crashed SUV.

“The driver was still in the car. The officers were able to detain him without any problem,” Mercado said.

Mercado said the officers smelled alcohol on Salazar’s breath and person.

Pasadena Fire Department units responded and Salazar was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries.

Mercado said the case will be turned over to the Los Angeles County District Attorney or City Prosecutor’s office to consider for prosecution.