Man arrested on suspicion of DUI, evading at San Mateo car event

SAN MATEO – An East Bay man was arrested on suspicion of evading, driving under the influence and assaulting an officer at a car event in San Mateo over the weekend, according to police.

The incident unfolded just before 8 p.m. at South El Camino Real and Avila Road during San Mateo’s Cruise Night, an annual event that draws thousands of classic automobile enthusiasts, the San Mateo Police Department said in a news release.

Officers were driving along the cruise route when a Buick made an illegal U-turn in front of them, causing them and others to “slam on their brakes,” according to police.

When officers tried to stop the Buick, the driver sped up, steered into oncoming traffic and ran a red light, police said, adding that the officers did not pursue the Buick.

A motorcycle officer stationed at South El Camino Real and 17th Avenue heard the sound of screeching tires but was unaware of the incident involving other officers. He then saw the car swerve around stopped traffic and run the light, according to police.

Police said the motorcycle officer also tried to stop the Buick, but the driver did not yield and sideswiped another car. The driver also brake-checked the officer, but the officer managed to avoid crashing into the back of the Buick, according to police.

Traffic at South El Camino Real and 20th Avenue finally forced the driver to stop, police said.

Officers detained the driver, identified as a 34-year-old Fremont man, and his two passengers.

An investigation determined the driver had a blood alcohol content of .17, or more than double the legal limit for DUI, and a warrant for his arrest, according to police.

Police said a search of the Buick also turned up an unloaded ghost gun with two magazines.

The driver was arrested and booked into San Mateo County jail on charges related to the incident, according to police. The two passengers were released at the scene.