SPPD: Driver of Chrysler arrested
for suspicion of hit-and-runs, DUI
October 29, 2014
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
A Santa Paula man whose Chrysler hit several parked cars and a fence Friday was finally arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence at Santa Paula Cemetery.
According to Santa Paula Police Sgt. Jimmy Fogata, the incident started at about 4:51 p.m. October 24 when, “We started receiving numerous calls of a reckless driver traveling at a high speed on the 300 block of Sycamore Street... then we started hearing his vehicle had crashed into several others,” but that the Chrysler just kept on going.
At one point the vehicle crashed into a chain link fence at the corner of 12th and Santa Paula streets... and then kept going.
But not without company: Fogata said some concerned citizens started following the vehicle and were advising police of its movements, but, “The last location the people had him was at Venus Avenue and Santa Paula Street,” before they lost sight of the Chrysler.
While looking for the vehicle SPPD Officer Daniel Gosslin decided to check Santa Paula Cemetery and found the Chrysler.
“The officer ended up stopped the car, pulled it over but then the driver took off again,” but was blocked by police cars for a high-risk stop.
Fogata said Santa Paula Fire EMTs and an ambulance were called to the scene to check the driver, 28-year-old Jose Magana of Santa Paula, for injuries.
Once Magana was cleared medically he was arrested for suspicion of DUI and multiple hit-and-run; in all four parked vehicles were damaged in collisions as well as the fence.
Fogata did not have damage estimates but said Magana’s own vehicle took a beating: “The tires were off the rims and the rims themselves were broken on the right side of the vehicle, and there was more damage... it was a silver 2005 Chrysler 300. It was - well, had been - a really nice car... “
Magana was transported to Ventura County Jail.
