POLICE ARREST MAN AFTER PURSUIT AND CRASH

By Elizabeth Alper

September 19, 2015 (Spring Valley) - A driver in an SUV was arrested after a pursuit and crash in Spring Valley early this morning (September 15).

A green Ford Explorer with two passengers driven by 24-year-old Ashton Phillips was driving without its headlights just before 3 a.m. on Kempton Street in Spring Valley. A sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop the vehicle.

According to the Sheriff’s department, Phillips failed to stop and a pursuit commenced, but ended after the SUV barreled through a wood and metal private property easement barricade on Quarry Road.

A deputy drove up to the vehicle as it was parked along Pray Street in Bonita, but by that time, Phillips had fled again.

Phillips was found walking on Quarry Road near Elkton Place around 5:15 a.m., where he was arrested.  He has been booked on suspicion of evading, vandalism and driving with a suspended license.

The two passengers, who have not been identified, were found after Phillips abandoned the damaged vehicle. They were initially detained, but later released.