Crime & Safety

E-Dirt Bike Rider Arrested After Hitting Deputy's Motorcycle During North County Pursuit: Sheriff's Office

Hunter Bellish, 19, was booked into the Vista Detention Facility on multiple felony charges.

VISTA, CA — A man was arrested after fleeing deputies on an unregistered electric dirt bike, running red lights and striking a pursuing deputy's motorcycle in northern San Diego County, authorities said.

The incident began around 3:15 p.m. Tuesday, when a motor deputy attempted to stop Hunter Bellish, 19, who was riding an Arctic Leopard electric dirt bike, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office.

Bellish fled northbound on North Melrose Drive in Vista, ran red lights and drove over 50 miles per hour in the bicycle lane, sheriff's officials said.

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Officials said Bellish continued at high speeds before slowing on Crestview Drive in Oceanside, where he made a sudden U-turn and accelerated toward the deputy, striking the deputy's motorcycle and knocking it over. Bellish then fled as the deputy picked up his motorcycle.

A sheriff's ASTREA helicopter located Bellish a short distance away near Panorama Ridge and guided deputies to his location, where he was arrested. No one was injured in the incident.

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Bellish was booked into the Vista Detention Facility on multiple felony charges, including felony evading and felony reckless driving. His electric motorcycle was impounded.

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