High-Speed Chase Ends in Man’s Arrest

A 21-year-old Vista man was arrested Wednesday after allegedly attempting to run down an Orange County sheriff’s deputy and three other people before leading authorities on a high-speed chase through the city, a sheriff’s spokesman said.

William Parrott drove his car onto a sidewalk in the 3500 block of South El Camino Real in an attempt to hit a deputy who was interviewing a man and two women who had reported a recent act of vandalism, Sheriff’s Lt. Richard Paddock said. The racing car “came within inches” of the four people but none was injured, he said.

The deputy, who was not identified, was investigating a report of slashed tires when the 3 p.m. incident occurred, Paddock said.

Investigators believe Parrott had a grudge of some sort against the man being interviewed by the deputy, Paddock said.

A state lifeguard who heard the deputy’s radio call for help chased the fleeing car as it raced through the city’s streets, slamming into several cars, officials said. The car spun out of control on South Ola Vista, and Parrott was arrested without incident by the armed lifeguard and deputies, Paddock said.

A 17-year-old Vista boy was with Parrott in the car but was not arrested, Paddock said.

Parrott was held Wednesday night at Orange County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bail.

Deputies will seek charges of attempted murder, Paddock said. Parrott was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer and assault with a deadly weapon against the two women. He also did not have a valid driver’s license, Paddock said.