Police Activity Shuts Down 15 Freeway Just South Of Temecula

TEMECULA, CA — A suspect who led a police chase out of San Diego County held up traffic Friday on Interstate 15, just south of Temecula, with a complete shutdown of northbound freeway lanes.

The police pursuit began at approximately 7:11 a.m. in San Diego County following reports of a reckless driver in a blue Honda sedan, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Mike Lassig.

The driver led a chase on Interstate 8 in Mission Valley, then eventually onto northbound I-15, Lassig said.

The driver finally stopped on I-15, just south of the Border Patrol checkpoint, but refused to comply with officers' commands to surrender, according to Lassig. The standoff, which included a police presence on the ground and in the air, led to a shutdown of northbound I-15 and nearby freeway ramps.

Traffic on northbound I-15 was backed up for miles due to the closure.

Just before 8:30 a.m., the suspect surrendered and was taken into custody, and the freeway was reopened, Lassig reported.

There were no immediate reports of injuries.