SAN DIEGO - A high-speed pursuit involving a wrong-way driver ended with the driver abandoning his vehicle at Lindbergh Field and being subdued by officers just outside of Terminal 1.
According to authorities, 25-year-old Jahvaris Springfield was traveling on Harbor Drive at about 6:15 a.m. when he suddenly sped away from officers for unknown reasons.
Springfield was spotted making an illegal U-turn at a stoplight on Harbor Drive near the airport. When officers tried to pull the vehicle over, Springfield allegedly refused and drove away, prompting a pursuit.
At one point during the chase, authorities said the driver jumped a curb and was driving in the wrong direction.
"I was riding my bike in from the employee lot. We're down about maybe a quarter mile off of Harbor [Drive] so I saw the car weaving in and out of traffic," said airport worker Eric Pushard. "You knew it was a chase."
Authorities said Springfield drove back and forth between Lindbergh Field and the Coast Guard station on Harbor Drive before making his way to a cargo building near Terminal 1, where he bailed out of the vehicle and fled on foot.
Officers eventually caught up to him and deployed a stun gun to subdue him after police said he disobeyed all commands to surrender.
Springfield was booked into jail for felony evading, drug possession and resisting arrest.
Authorities inspected the car and determined it was a rental that was not under Springfield's name. Springfield claimed the car belonged to his friend.
Authorities also found luggage inside the car, but they're not sure if they belong to Springfield. Officers also found drugs and other items in the car that may have been stolen.
