Car Driven Off Pier as Chase Ends

A Huntington Beach man led authorities on a two-hour chase over 10 freeways in Los Angeles and Orange counties early Monday before driving his red Camaro off the Huntington Beach pier into the Pacific Ocean, authorities said.

An Orange County Sheriff’s Department boat plucked James Hamilton, 23, from the chilly waters about 5:20 a.m. He was clinging to a barnacle-covered pier support, CHP Lt. Jerry Jewett said.

Hamilton was taken to Hoag Memorial Hospital in Newport Beach, where he was treated for hypothermia and scrapes to his abdomen. He was arrested on suspicion of evading police, damaging city property and speeding.

Police said they do not know why Hamilton refused to stop.

Brea police officers began pursuing Hamilton about 2:45 a.m. on the southbound Orange Freeway because they believed that his car was involved in a murder investigation, Jewett said. Brea police soon lost sight of Hamilton and CHP officers continued the pursuit at speeds of 80 to 105 m.p.h., said Jewett, who was involved in the chase for about 100 miles.

Crisscrossed Counties

Hamilton crisscrossed the counties for about 150 miles before he left the San Diego Freeway at Beach Boulevard. He then drove to Pacific Coast Highway, turned left onto a closed-off pier area, crashed through a chain-link fence and drove off the end, Jewett said.

There were no injuries or accidents during the chase.

“I was pretty much amazed that he didn’t have an accident considering the distance he covered and the speed he was traveling,” Jewett said.

“The way it ended was the most outrageous I’ve seen. It’s almost humorous.

“It reminded me of something I’ve seen on TV once or twice.”

The Camaro sank, Jewett said. The pier, which was damaged in a storm last year, had been closed for repairs.