Detective witnesses drug sale, resulting in chase and injury crash

Fernando Portal, 30, of Fairfield, was arrested Friday and charged with transportation and possession of narcotics for sale, evading police, and DUI resulting in injury – all felonies – and misdemeanor charges of concealing evidence and driving on a suspended license. It was also determined that he had an outstanding warrant for possession of illegal drugs.

The drug deal was witnessed near this intersection in Fairfield, where the pursuit began

While in Fairfield following up on a wanted person case, a Vacaville under-cover narcotic detective noticed what appeared to be an illegal drug transaction. The suspected transaction took place between people in two cars near North Texas and Dickson Hill drive.

The detective followed one of the cars, a silver Cadillac, onto Interstate 80 eastbound traffic. As the vehicle zipped in and out of lanes, the detective called the Vacaville Crime Suppression Team, requesting a traffic stop when the Cadillac entered Vacaville city limits.

A stop was attempted, but the Cadillac took off. The driver was later identified as Fernando Portal, a known Sureno gang member from Fairfield. The vehicle pursuit continued on and off eastbound 80 into Davis, where CHP took over pursuit by vehicle and small aircraft.

While the pursuit continued, witnesses called Vacaville Police regarding items thrown from Portal’s vehicle. Police were directed to Orange Drive near the I-80 Eastbound on-ramp and located a bag containing at least two ounces of suspected methamphetamine.

Meanwhile Portal led ground pursuit into Sacramento. He exited I-80 onto Northgate Blvd., turned south and drove into oncoming traffic, striking another vehicle head on at the intersection of Northgate and Patio.

The suspect led officers on a chase that ended when he collided with another vehicle at this intersection in Sacramento

Portal took off on foot but was caught not far from the collision by a CHP officer. People in the vehicle that Portal struck were taken to a local hospital, where it was determined the driver had sustained a serious leg injury.

Vacaville Crime Suppression Team detectives took custody of Portal. After he was cleared medically he was booked into Solano County Jail. Portal has prior arrests, most recently in 2012 for possession of cocaine, destruction of  evidence, and probation violation.

Read More:

Daily Democrat: Police pursuit from Fairfield to Sacramento ends with arrest

The Reporter (2012): Two arrested in Fairfield on drug, gun charges