Man arrested after leading police on car chase on Phoenix freeways with 2 kids in vehicle
Oct 31, 2021, 12:00 PM | Updated: Nov 1, 2021, 12:09 pm
(Mesa Police Department Photo)
(Mesa Police Department Photo)
PHOENIX — Mesa police arrested a man Saturday night after he led police on a car chase on Phoenix freeways with two children in the vehicle, authorities said Sunday.
Police said they responded to a call about a domestic violence situation near Gilbert Road and Southern Avenue around 8 p.m. The caller said her boyfriend, identified as 30-year-old Luis Enrique Fernandez, assaulted her and left with the children, according to the probable cause statement.
After locating Fernandez, who had the children in Mesa and attempting to stop him, he fled police by driving through multiple cities into Phoenix while causing multiple accidents.
He drove on the westbound U.S. 60, then got onto westbound Interstate 17 before eventually getting onto eastbound I-17.
Following several attempts, a Phoenix officer initiated a vehicle mobilizing device. Then, officers said Fernandez intentionally rammed into a marked and occupied Phoenix police vehicle.
Officers took him into custody and determined he was under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
Fernandez faces charges, including driving under the influence, assault and child abuse.
The children, a 6-year-old and 3-month-old, appeared to be unharmed but were taken to the hospital for evaluation.
According to the probable cause statement, the girlfriend said before she called police, Fernandez struck her multiple times before choking her and telling her “she would never see the kids again.”
