SOUTHLAND : Huntington Beach Man Flees Police; 150-Mile Chase Ends in the Ocean
A Huntington Beach man led authorities on 150-mile chase over 10 freeways in Los Angeles and Orange counties early this morning before driving his red Camaro into the ocean off the Huntington Beach pier.
An Orange County Sheriff’s Department boat plucked James Hamilton, 23, from the chilly water about 5:20 a.m., as he clung to a pier support, CHP Lt. Jerry Jewett said. Hamilton was taken to a hospital for treatment of hypothermia and scrapes on his stomach. He was arrested on suspicion of evading police and damaging city property.
Brea police officers began pursuing Hamilton about 2:45 a.m. on the southbound Orange Freeway because they believed that his car was involved with a murder investigation, Jewett said. Brea police lost sight of Hamilton, and CHP officers continued the pursuit at speeds of up to 105 m.p.h.
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