LOS ANGELES, CA – A 27-year-old man was arrested Friday evening following a high-speed chase that spanned multiple counties across Southern California.
Luchiano Antonio Lewis Villanueva faces multiple felony charges after Los Angeles Police Department officers initiated a pursuit of a Nissan Sentra believed to be driven by a DUI suspect, according to a California Highway Patrol media statement.
The chase began in the San Fernando Valley and continued onto surface streets before entering the 101 Freeway. The pursuit extended from Los Angeles County into Ventura County as the suspect reached dangerous speeds while weaving through traffic lanes.
CHP officers deployed a spike strip near the Seaward Avenue off-ramp in Ventura, successfully deflating the vehicle’s tires. The Nissan continued briefly on the damaged tires before pulling onto the shoulder and coming to a stop.
Villanueva was taken into custody without further incident. He was transported to a local station for processing and is being held on suspicion of DUI and felony weapons possession, officials said.
No injuries were reported during the pursuit, though law enforcement officials said the chase created hazardous conditions for other motorists on the freeway. The situation was complicated by fog and low clouds in parts of the area during the incident.
Units from both LAPD and CHP participated in the pursuit. Sky5 news crews captured aerial footage of the chase as it unfolded across the two counties.
The investigation into the circumstances that led to the initial traffic stop is ongoing. Authorities have not released additional details about the weapons allegedly found in Villanueva’s possession.
The West Valley Area station is handling the case. Villanueva is expected to face charges in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
