A motorist fleeing a traffic stop in St. Helena early Tuesday morning was seriously injured when his car ran off Highway 29, crossed Napa Valley Wine Train tracks and slammed into a tree, police said.
A St. Helena officer had pulled over a Kia Optima at 12:11 a.m. on Main Street at Hunt Avenue for speeding, Lt. Justin Tharp said.
When a Napa County Sheriff’s deputy and K9 arrived, the driver took off down Highway 29, through Yountville, then back onto the highway before crashing south of the town, Tharp said.
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The driver, Ruben Garcia, 34, of Montebello, was ejected from the car upon impact. He was taken by CHP medical helicopter to an out-of-county hospital with major injuries, Tharp said.
Police intend to seek charges of evading officers, giving false information to an officer and possession of meth, Tharp said. The driver also had a parole hold, he said.
The passengers, Veronica Pena, 30, of Los Angeles, and Ana Pereira, 34, of Montebello, were taken to a local hospital with moderate injuries, Tharp said.
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SEE PHOTOS OF THE CITY OF NAPA’S LEAST EXPENSIVE HOME SOLD IN JANUARY
Photos: Check out the city of Napa's least expensive home sold in January 2021
2252 Eva St. in Napa.
This is the least expensive home sold in Napa city in January. The home is located at 2252 Eva St. in Napa.
Source: Christina Winegar with Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty
2252 Eva St. in Napa.
This is the least expensive home sold in Napa city in January. The home is located at 2252 Eva St. in Napa.
Source: Christina Winegar with Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty
2252 Eva St. in Napa.
This is the least expensive home sold in Napa city in January. The home is located at 2252 Eva St. in Napa.
Source: Christina Winegar with Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty
2252 Eva St. in Napa.
This is the least expensive home sold in Napa city in January. The home is located at 2252 Eva St. in Napa.
Source: Christina Winegar with Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty
2252 Eva St. in Napa.
This is the least expensive home sold in Napa city in January. The home is located at 2252 Eva St. in Napa.
Source: Christina Winegar with Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty
2252 Eva St. in Napa.
This is the least expensive home sold in Napa city in January. The home is located at 2252 Eva St. in Napa.
Source: Christina Winegar with Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty
2252 Eva St. in Napa.
2252 Eva St. in Napa.
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Gordon Anderson, who will be inducted into the St. Helena High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
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Despite senior Caden Parlett's 279 yards and 3 touchdowns rushing, fumble recovery and blocked extra point, the Justin-Siena football team dro…
