Alcohol possibly a factor in Mid-State Fair car theft, injury collision
–On Tuesday, at approximately 5:17 p.m., The California Highway Patrol (CHP) told Paso Robles Police Department dispatcher they were attempting to locate a car recently stolen from the Mid-State Fair parking lot. CHP ultimately reported the stolen vehicle had collided with a car passing south through the intersections of 16th and Spring Streets. The Paso Robles Police Department and Department (PRPD) and Department of Emergency Services (PRES) responded and located an injury collision at the intersections of 16th and Spring Streets, Paso Robles.
Emergency personnel arrived on scene and found a black Ford Explorer with major front-end damage in the middle of the intersection; the driver of the SUV was suffering from moderate leg injuries. The driver was transported to Twin Cities Community Hospital via ambulance. The suspect was at rest in the Bank of America parking lot on the west side of the intersection. The suspect did not appear to have any injuries. PRPD officers contacted CHP officers and determined they had arrested a suspect in connection with the collision and car theft.
Because this collision occurred within the City of Paso Robles, the PRPD is conducting the collision portion of the investigation; CHP is coordinating the investigation/arrest surrounding the vehicle theft from the Mid-State Fair (state property).
The collision remains under investigation; alcohol appears to be a contributory factor. The Paso Robles Department of Emergency Services, San Luis Ambulance, and California Highway Patrol personnel all assisted with this investigation.