REDWOOD CITY — A San Jose man has pleaded not guilty to leading the California Highway Patrol on a pursuit that ended where he is currently being held: San Mateo County Jail.
Long Hai Vuong, 31, is charged with felony reckless evading, driving under the influence of drugs and resisting arrest, according to the District Attorney’s Office. He entered his plea Friday.
Prosecutors said an officer stopped Vuong at 11:05 p.m. last Wednesday on Highway 101 in Redwood City. Vuong, however, sped off when the officer tried to make contact.
Vuong led the CHP on a 25 mph chase through city streets, during which he wove across the road, nearly hit a car and ran a red light, according to prosecutors. He then got back on the freeway and allegedly hit speeds of 90 mph before exiting and turning onto Maple Street.
The chase ended when Vuong got out of his vehicle, squeezed through a gap in the fence surrounding the Maple Street Correctional Facility and was arrested by officers.
Prosecutors said Vuong was high on methamphetamine and told officers he fled “because it was fun.”
It didn’t appear as though Vuong intentionally drove to the jail, said District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.
“He just picked a building hoping he could run and hide from the officers,” Wagstaffe said.
Vuong remains in custody in lieu of $50,000 bail. He is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on Aug. 3.
Contact Jason Green at 408-920-5006. Follow him at Twitter.com/JGreenMercNews.
