San Diego police say a stolen Tesla roared down a popular boardwalk on Saturday, striking a 25‑year‑old woman and leaving her with a fractured spine, broken ribs and a deep cut that required 20 stitches. The vehicle, driven at roughly 70 miles per hour, smashed through the pedestrian walkway, endangering dozens of onlookers.
Quick action by local citizens
Witness Alex Srour, who was wearing a pair of smart glasses that recorded the incident, heard a scream and saw the Tesla barreling toward him. “I hear somebody behind me just scream like, ‘Watch out.’ And then I look and there’s like a Tesla just barreling at me going like 70 miles an hour,” Srour told KABC‑TV.
When the car clipped Srour’s bicycle, it knocked him off balance. “He hit my bike, and it like pushed me really, it like launched me off to the side,” Srour said. He immediately gave chase, sprinting after the driver, identified as 39‑year‑old Juan Antonio Gonzaba.
Suspect apprehended
Gonzaba fled the scene, running through a nearby parking lot before Srour tackled him, forcing him to the ground. Police arrived moments later and placed Gonzaba under arrest. The San Diego Sheriff’s Office charged him with assault with a deadly weapon, hit‑and‑run, and auto theft.
According to the San Diego District Attorney’s Office, Gonzaba has an extensive criminal history. He is being held without bail at the San Diego Central Jail. If convicted on all counts, he faces up to 24 years in prison. Gonzaba entered a not‑guilty plea at his arraignment.
Victim receives medical care
The injured woman was rushed to a local hospital, where doctors treated her spinal fracture, broken ribs and the laceration requiring 20 stitches. Hospital officials said her condition is serious but stable, and she will remain under observation.
Community response
Local residents praised Srour’s bravery, noting that his quick thinking likely prevented further injuries. “People don’t expect a car to come through the boardwalk like it’s just not normal,” Srour told KABC, emphasizing the unusual danger of a vehicle on a pedestrian path.
San Diego Police Department spokesperson declined to comment further, directing media inquiries to the District Attorney’s Office.
Legal implications
The case underscores the seriousness with which San Diego law enforcement treats reckless endangerment on public walkways. Prosecutors highlighted the combination of assault with a deadly weapon and hit‑and‑run as especially egregious, reflecting the city’s commitment to protecting pedestrians and cyclists.
Authorities continue to investigate how the Tesla was stolen and whether any additional charges may be filed related to the theft itself.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
