Bystanders in San Diego acted swiftly to catch a man alleged to be driving a stolen Tesla, who reportedly struck a woman and left her with significant injuries while speeding through a crowded pedestrian area. The suspect, Juan Antonio Gonzaba, 39, was seen fleeing the vehicle, which authorities confirmed was taken without permission, and running through a parking lot.
One bystander, Alex Srour, took it upon himself to pursue Gonzaba. He said he reacted when he heard someone scream a warning and then saw the Tesla approaching at a high speed. “It was like watching a car coming at me, just barreling down the walkway,” Srour shared with KABC-TV.
In the chase, Srour pushed Gonzaba, causing him to stumble and fall. The sequence of events was captured on video from smart glasses Srour was wearing. He recounted that during the incident, Gonzaba swiped his bike, resulting in a jolt that knocked him to the side. “You don’t expect a car to come through a pedestrian area—it’s just not normal,” he commented.
Following the incident, police charged Gonzaba with multiple offenses, including assault with a deadly weapon, hit-and-run, and auto theft. The victim, a 25-year-old woman, suffered serious injuries, including a fractured spine and broken ribs, and required extensive medical treatment.
Currently, Gonzaba is in custody at the San Diego Central Jail with no bail set, especially due to his previous criminal history. If found guilty of all charges, he could face a lengthy sentence of up to 24 years. During his arraignment, he pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
Authorities have not released additional details regarding the ongoing investigation, but the situation raises concerns about safety and the risks posed by reckless driving in crowded areas.
