High-Speed Pursuit in Hanford Ends with Arrest for Alleged DUI, Discharge of a Firearm
A Kings County man was recently arrested for allegedly driving under the influence and leading Hanford police on a high-speed pursuit.
According to a press release by the Hanford Police Officers’ Association, officers responded to a bar on North Douty Street to investigate a report of a man brandishing a firearm inside the bar on the night of March 13. While en route, officers learned that the individual had exited the bar and was possibly in the parking lot.
Officers arrived and witnesses at the scene directed them to a specific area of the parking lot. Around that time, officers reportedly heard a gunshot come from a vehicle nearby.
The officers found that the gunshot had come from a white Chevy Cruze. They tried to make contact with the occupants, but the driver — later identified as Sergio Tapia, 28 — allegedly revved the engine and sped away.
Officers pursued Tapia, who allegedly failed to stop and several stop signs. The pursuit continued into downtown at speeds exceeding 50 miles per hour, at times escalating to 90. Ultimately, the pursuit ended when Tapia reportedly collided with a brick wall on the 200 block of West Grangeville.
Officers then detained Tapia as well as his passenger, whose identity has not been disclosed.
At some point during the pursuit, Tapia had allegedly thrown a handgun from his vehicle. Officers recovered it near the intersection of Ivy and Irwin Streets. The gun was described as a loaded 9mm “personally manufactured” handgun that did not have a serial number. Tapia also appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, police said.
Tapia and the unidentified passenger were treated for injuries sustained in the collision.
Tapia was later booked at the Kings County jail on suspicion of felony DUI causing injury, felony evading, carrying a loaded unregistered firearm, felony willful discharge of a firearm, and several misdemeanors.
