Suspected DUI Driver Arrested After Series Of North County Crashes

VISTA, CA — A suspected DUI driver was arrested after a series of crashes in in North San Diego County, authorities said.

The incident began around 7:30 p.m. Monday at an apartment complex in the 1400 block of Oak Drive in Vista, where Isaias Diego Miguel, 32, hit a parked vehicle and destroyed a steel gate before fleeing the scene, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office. Miguel then struck two additional parked vehicles, causing major damage, before crashing into and rupturing a fire hydrant.

"Miguel proceeded on Foothill Drive on the wrong side of the road, forcing oncoming traffic to swerve to avoid collisions before he sideswiped a passing vehicle," Lt. Noah Zarnow said. "Shortly thereafter, Miguel attempted to pass vehicles over a double yellow line, resulting in a head-on collision with a motorist. In an attempt to flee this scene, Miguel reversed and then accelerated forward, ramming the victim's vehicle to push it out of the way."

The motorist was injured and later treated at the scene, Zarnow said. Miguel then struck a minivan head-on, causing major damage to the van and minor injuries to the driver.

Despite major vehicle damage and missing the driver's side front wheel, Miguel continued driving until he lost control, veered off the roadway, and struck a power pole at the 1600 block of Foothill Drive, Zarnow said.

Miguel was evaluated by deputies, arrested and booked into the Vista Detention Facility on suspicion of DUI.