Reckless Driver Arrested Following Sheriff Pursuit and Collision on Highway 154

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office arrested an alleged reckless driver following a pursuit on Highway 154 that resulted in a crash on Wednesday.

Around 11:30 a.m., a Sheriff’s Deputy was driving on Highway 154 when they witnessed a black BMW sedan swerving and almost causing head-on collisions, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Near the Windy Gap area the Deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop when the driver continued to drive recklessly down the highway until colliding with a center median at the intersection of State Street and Highway 154.

The driver fled the scene of the collision on foot and attempted to hide in the bathroom of a nearby business. Deputies located and apprehended the suspect, 25-year-old Joshua Andrew Gomez of Santa Barbara.

Gomez currently faces a series of charges, including a felony for evading arrest and misdemeanors for reckless driving, obstruction of a peace officer, destruction of evidence, and possessing drug paraphernalia, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

His bail has been set at $75,000 and he is booked at Santa Barbara County Jail.