Police Evasion in Orange County

James Neal of San Clemente, used to be a NASCAR driver but on May 18th, he was sentenced to one month in jail and three years probation for leading the police on a high-speed chase. Neal pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of evading while driving recklessly (California Vehicle Code 2800.1, 2800.2). Police attempted to pull Neal’s Corvette over for speeding around 3 a.m. on May 17th, but he refused to stop. Instead he led police down the 5 freeway southbound for nearly 50 miles into San Diego County, reaching a speed of 140 mph. Deputies followed Neal up until the Border Patrol checkpoint when they lost sight of him. California Highway Patrol then took over the pursuit and finally Neal’s engine “blew out” near La Jolla allowing deputies to arrest him.