Man's Wild Ride From South Bay Up Peninsula To SF Costing Him $11K Restitution, 4 Years In Jail

A 33-year-old South San Francisco man who led California Highway Patrol officers on a high-speed chase throughout the Bay Area earlier this year was sentenced to four years in prison today in San Mateo County Superior court.

Elijah Kurdi was also ordered to pay a total of $11,389.56 in restitution, Deputy District Attorney Karen Guidotti said.

On May 18, Kurdi had pleaded no contest to charges from the January incident including felony reckless evading police and an admitted prior strike conviction, prosecutors said.

On Jan. 2, Kurdi fled from San Jose area CHP officers who were attempting to detain him. He then led them on a vehicle pursuit, crossing over the San Mateo Bridge at speeds of 110 to 120 miles per hour and weaving over all lanes of traffic, according to prosecutors. Kurdi recklessly exited State Highway 92 and then eventually drove on Interstate Highway 380 at El Camino Real in San Bruno, heading northbound on U.S. Highway 101, prosecutors said.

The pursuit continued into San Francisco and ended when Kurdi’s vehicle hit a parked car in the Mission District, according to prosecutors. Kurdi then jumped out of his vehicle and fled on foot near 19th Street. Officers chased him and were eventually able to apprehend him, prosecutors said.

After his arrest, officers discovered Kurdi had an outstanding arrest warrant. Later, that same day, as Kurdi was exiting his jail cell, jail staff noticed .8 grams of methamphetamine had fallen out of his pants leg.

A separate case was filed for that incident, prosecutors said. An attorney for Kurdi was not immediately available for comment.

• Also see: Woman Arrested For Allegedly Embezzling $1Million From Peninsula Landscaping Firm

--Bay City News

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