TWO people were arrested and five hurt in a street racing incident Sunday evening in Garden Grove (Shutterstock).
Two people were arrested and five injured in an incident Sunday night in Garden Grove involving a street race, a collision and a fight with police officers.
According to Lt. Carl Whitney of the GGPD, the suspects arrested were Robert Gonzales, 28, of Anaheim, and Eric Benitez, 24, of Costa Mesa. They are both charged with illegal street racing. Gonzales was also charged with possession/transportation of narcotics for sale, resisting arrest and a probation violation.
ROBERT GONZALES (GGPD photo).
ERIC BENITEZ (GGPD photo).
Police were sent to the intersection of 9th Street and Garden Grove Boulevard at at 8:04 p.m. There they found a roll-over crash in which three vehicles were involved.
One of the drivers was seen running from the scene and was chased on foot. The man, later identified as Gonzales, allegedly attempted to discard a large bag of narcotics and began fighting with officers. He was taken into custody after a brief struggle with officers.
Witnesses told officers that Gonzales was driving a 2009 black Mercedes and Benitez driving a 2017 black Dodge Charger. The high-speed westbound race resulted in the two vehicles colliding, and a third vehicle was also struck.
That third auto was driven by a woman with three children in the car. The woman and children complained of pain and were taken to a local hospital for treatment.
One of the police officers sustained minor injuries during the altercation with Gonzales and was treated for abrasions and a minor head injury. Three other officers were exposed to the narcotics that the suspect allegedly sought to discard and destroy.
Anyone else who saw the street race before the crash is encouraged to call the GGPD at (714) 741-5704.