Man flees DUI stop, crashes into Mesa apartment complex before being arrested

A 35-year-old man was arrested Sunday night after he fled a DUI stop and crashed into an apartment complex in Mesa, authorities said.

Officers were called to the area of Southern Avenue and Alma School Road just after 7:40 p.m. for reports of a man acting aggressively toward others while appearing intoxicated, according to the Mesa Police Department.

When they arrived at the scene, they found Faanoi Vaifale inside of a car, showing signs that indicated he was possibly impaired.

Police opened Vaifale’s car door after he refused to exit the vehicle, which is when he allegedly put the car in drive and took off with officers partially inside the vehicle.

The car pushed one officer approximately five feet away and struck another.

Vaifale fled the area at a high-rate of speed before entering the parking lot of a nearby apartment complex, where he was located by an officer. He accelerate head-on toward the police car then swerved and crashed into the side of an apartment building, authorities said.

He attempted to flee on foot, but was later taken into custody. While being arrested, he allegedly pushed an officer and refused to follow their commands.

Vaifale was taken to a nearby hospital as a precaution.

The building was deemed unsafe for occupancy and the damage was estimated to cost $25,000.

Vaifale was booked into jail on charges of aggravated assault of a first responder, criminal damage, failure to remain at the scene of a crash, resisting arrest, DUI and extreme DUI.

No officers or community members were injured during the incident, according to authorities.

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