New Year's Eve Car Chase, Crash in Seal Beach Ends with Arrest of Driver

SEAL BEACH, CA — A Mission Viejo resident was arrested in Seal beach on New Year's Eve, following a vehicle pursuit and subsequent traffic collision, according to the Seal Beach Police Department.

Officers arrested Dennis Cusick, a 55-year-old Mission Viejo man, after a car chase and crash on Saturday December 31st, they said.

"At approximately 12:45 p.m., on New Year's Eve, Seal Beach Police Officers received a call of a suspected drunk driver in the area of Westminster Ave. and Seal Beach Boulevard," they said. "Officers located the vehicle and attempted to initiate a traffic stop."

When the vehicle did not stop, it proceeded to collide with the center divider and a police car.

"The vehicle fled and led Officers on a pursuit," Sgt. Mike Henderson of the Seal Beach Police Department said. "The pursuit ended when the suspects’ vehicle collided with two other vehicles at First Street and Pacific Coast Highway."

Cusick was taken into custody without further incident according to Henderson.

"All parties involved in the collision suffered minor injuries and were treated at local hospitals," he said. "As a result of the collision, Pacific Coast Hwy. was closed for approximately one hour in both directions."

Cusick was held on charges of Felony Evading, Assault with a Deadly Weapon upon a Police Officer, Felony Driving Under the Influence, and Hit and run.

Shutterstock Photo