A Gainesville man was arrested Tuesday evening on several traffic violations related to a Monday evening police chase in the East Hall area.
According to a press release from the Hall County Sheriff's Office, Cristian Omar Hernandez-Pena, 29, remained in the Hall County Jail as of noon Wednesday.
A Hall County Sheriff's Office Patrol deputy reportedly saw a Ford F150 partially blocking Holly Springs Road at about 7:30 p.m. Monday. The driver of the truck, Hernandez-Pena, pulled away, crossing the double yellow lines on the roadway, as the deputy approached.
The truck sped away toward Lebanon Church Road after the deputy activated the emergency lights on his patrol vehicle. Hernandez-Pena reportedly drove across both lanes of the roadway as he fled from the deputy.
"The deputy indicated a number of vehicles had to swerve to avoid being struck by Hernandez-Pena’s truck," the release reads. "The deputy stopped his pursuit because of potential danger to other drivers and residents in the area."
A second patrol deputy who was in the area was alerted to the situation and was given the name and address of the driver. The second deputy went to the residence and saw the truck. Hernandez-Pena saw the deputy and fled the scene in the vehicle. The deputy attempted a PIT maneuver on Leafview Drive but was unsuccessful.
At that time, deputies stopped efforts to pressure Hernandez-Pena and filed warrants for his arrest. The truck was found Tuesday at a location on Barrett Drive. Hernandez-Pena was located at about 6 p.m. Tuesday at a home on Meadow Lane in Gainesville.
He was charged with the following:
- Two counts of felon fleeing or attempting to elude
- Two counts of reckless driving
- Two counts of driving on the wrong side of the roadway
- Two counts of failure to maintain lane
- Two counts of stop/yield sign violation
- Passing in a no passing zone
- Probation violation
