LOCAL : Fleeing Hit-Run Suspect Seized

A Stanton motorist suspected in a hit-and-run accident that left a Huntington Beach man seriously injured was chased down by another motorist and held until police arrived, authorities said today.

Jose Escareno Alonso, 22, was being held at the Anaheim City Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail.

The victim, Michael A. Roth, 41, was listed in stable condition at the UCI Medical Center in Orange.

Anaheim Sgt. Richard Zschoche said the incident occurred around 9:10 p.m. Thursday when Alonso ran a red light at the intersection of Katella Avenue and Walnut Street, colliding with a vehicle driven by 40-year-old Chau Hong Nguyen of Garden Grove.

Nguyen’s car crashed into a bus bench, crushing Roth’s legs, the sergeant said.

Zschoche said another motorist, Steve Swan of Anaheim, chased Alonso as he fled. The suspect’s car broke down about a block from the accident, and he and his five passengers ran, Zschoche said.

Swan jumped out of his truck and chased the men. He tackled Alonso and held him until Anaheim patrol officers arrived a few minutes later, Zschoche said.

“I think it is commendable what Swan did,” Zschoche said. “The suspect would surely have disappeared. We don’t find many people who go out of their way to get involved.”