Suspect in San Diego Boardwalk Tesla Rampage Has Extensive Criminal History
Juan Antonio Gonzaba, accused of stealing a vehicle and critically injuring a pedestrian, pleaded not guilty to multiple charges.
The man accused of stealing a Tesla and driving it onto a San Diego beach boardwalk, critically injuring a pedestrian, has an extensive criminal history, according to authorities. Juan Antonio Gonzaba, 39, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges stemming from the incident.
The suspect faces up to 24 years and eight months in state prison if convicted of all charges.
Authorities allege Gonzaba stole a Tesla in La Jolla on Monday and led police on a chase that ended on the Pacific Beach Boardwalk around 12:30 p.m. He is accused of striking an electrical transformer before continuing onto the boardwalk, where he hit a 25-year-old woman. The woman sustained two fractured ribs, two fractured vertebrae, and an abdominal laceration and remained hospitalized as of Wednesday.
Witnesses reported that pedestrians scattered to avoid the vehicle. Candace Hadley, a public information officer for the San Diego Fire Department, told NBC San Diego that the boardwalk is typically crowded and the incident was "incredibly frightening."
Gonzaba allegedly abandoned the Tesla and was pursued by bystanders, one of whom recorded the chase on Meta smart glasses. Alex Srour, who captured the event on video, pursued Gonzaba until police took him into custody.
His prior criminal record includes charges of assault, battery, burglary, and grand theft, according to NBC 7.
During his arraignment on Wednesday, Gonzaba reportedly exhibited erratic behavior, including banging his head against a glass wall, and was repeatedly instructed to be quiet by the judge.
He is suspected of driving under the influence, and the results of a blood test are pending.