Stolen Tesla Plows Into Woman on Pacific Beach Boardwalk, Suspect Caught by Meta Glasses Bystander
A stolen Tesla struck a 25-year-old woman on San Diego's Pacific Beach boardwalk Monday, leaving her with fractured ribs and vertebrae. A bystander wearing Meta glasses helped detain the suspect.
Stolen Tesla Strikes Pedestrian on Pacific Beach Boardwalk
A stolen blue Tesla Model X tore through San Diego's Pacific Beach boardwalk Monday afternoon, striking a woman and injuring her seriously before a bystander wearing Meta smart glasses helped bring the driver down, NY Post Metro reports.
Juan Antonio Gonzaba, 39, allegedly stole the vehicle shortly after noon before heading toward Pacific Beach. Officers spotted the Tesla on Mission Boulevard around 12:30 p.m. and attempted a traffic stop — but Gonzaba fled.
During the pursuit, the vehicle struck an SDG&E transformer before mounting the crowded boardwalk and accelerating past pedestrians scrambling to get clear. At 12:40 p.m., the Tesla plowed into a 25-year-old woman walking along the path.
She suffered two fractured right ribs, two fractured vertebrae, and a laceration to her abdomen, according to police.
"A lot of people dove out of the way very quickly and it really could have been so much worse," Candace Hadley, San Diego Fire Department Public Information Officer, told NBC San Diego. "This is a very busy boardwalk — having someone drive through this area is incredibly frightening."
Witness Miguel Valle described the moment the car flew past him. "I just heard some sounds down there, commotion like something hit something," Valle said. "Then a moment later I see a navy blue Tesla flying by me at least 50 mph, trying to get away from the pursuit."
Alex Srour, who was cycling on the boardwalk while wearing Meta glasses, had to throw himself off his bike to avoid being struck. "I was in the middle of the path and I launched myself off my bike," Srour said. His glasses captured the entire incident on camera.
Police called off the vehicle pursuit on public safety grounds. Gonzaba brought the Tesla to a stop near Baja Beach Cafe, at which point several bystanders gave chase on foot. Srour is seen in footage sprinting after the man, catching him and holding him for officers. In the video, Gonzaba is heard apologizing as Srour confronts him.
Gonzaba was arrested and is the subject of a felony hit-and-run investigation. Authorities also suspect he was driving under the influence at the time.
The boardwalk was closed for several hours following the incident and reopened around 4:00 p.m. Monday.
Source: NY Post Metro