‘Very Intoxicated’ Driver Arrested Following Slow Speed Chase Through Pasadena: Police

Police arrested a man who they said led them on a lengthy but slow speed pursuit Tuesday night after he was seen blowing through red lights and driving the wrong way on the 210 Freeway.

Officials started receiving calls about 10:10 p.m. reporting a Toyota Corolla was heading north along Hill Avenue, blowing through red lights, Pasadena police Lt. Pete Hettema said. It was later determined the car had also been traveling the wrong way on the 210 Freeway before exiting at Hill Avenue.

The driver refused to stop when police tried to pull him over, initiating a pursuit, according to the lieutenant.

The chase traveled as slow as 1 or 2 mph as it wound through city streets, then headed back onto the westbound 210 Freeway, he said.

The driver ultimately came to a stop in the middle of traffic lanes near Lincoln Avenue, Hettema said.

After initially exiting the car, the suspect refused to move away from it when ordered and instead tried to get back in, he said. Police shot him with a less-lethal projectile and took him into custody.

“They determined the suspect was very intoxicated,” Hettema said.

The man was taken to a hospital for examination and was expected to face charges of drunken driving and evading police, Hettema said. The suspect’s identity was not available Wednesday morning.