A high-speed car chase down R Street ended in the arrest of a 35-year-old Merced resident at 1:35 a.m. Friday
Police Officer Lance O'Brien spotted a 1997 Acura Legend driving faster than the speed limit, so O'Brien sped up to catch up with car to pull it over, said Merced Police Lt. Andre Matthews.
Police said the Acura reached speeds of 80 to 100 mph as it traveled through residential streets. The driver, Jesus Rivas, also fled the scene of an accident at Buena Vista Drive and M Street during the pursuit.
According to Matthews, Rivas ran a red light and then crashed into a pickup truck.
The truck was damaged, but the driver had no injuries, police reported.
The chase lasted about five minutes, covering three to four miles, and ended in the 1200 block of R Street.
Police determined that Rivas was intoxicated at the time of the crash. While searching Rivas' car, police found a large amount of methamphetamine, a bag of marijuana and some cash.
Rivas was arrested on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, possession of marijuana, driving under the influence and evading arrest. He was booked into Merced County Jail.
Reporter Jamie Oppenheim can be reached at (209) 385-2407 or joppenheim@mercedsun-star.com.
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