A bizarre pursuit unfolded along the residential streets of Oceanside this week as a helicopter and half a dozen sheriff\u2019s patrol cars chased a teen whizzing away from them on an electric dirt bike.<\/p>\n
The suspect, identified as Hunter Bellish, is accused of speeding at more than 50 mph, running multiple red lights and even knocking a deputy off a motorcycle, according to the San Diego County Sheriff\u2019s Office. He was arrested on suspicion of felony evading police and felony reckless driving.<\/p>\n
The pursuit began at 3:15 p.m Tuesday, when a motorcycle deputy attempted a traffic stop as Bellish was riding an unregistered Arctic Leopard electric dirt bike, according to the Sheriff\u2019s Office. The 19-year-old fled along North Melrose Drive, using the bicycle lane to speed past traffic.<\/p>\n
Bellish temporarily evaded authorities by making a sudden U-turn and accelerating directly at the pursuing motorcycle deputy. He slammed into the deputy\u2019s motorcycle, knocking it over.<\/p>\n
A Sheriff\u2019s Office helicopter then located Bellish a short distance away near Panorama Ridge and guided deputies to his location, where he was taken into custody without further incident. <\/p>\n
Neither he nor the motorcycle deputy were injured during the pursuit. <\/p>\n
But neighbor Jody Taylor, a former emergency medical technician who witnessed the incident, raised questions about the dangers of engaging the teen in such a chase. <\/p>\n
\u201cNow we are doing police pursuits on e-bikes?\u201d she told NBC7<\/a>. \u201cThe amount of lives he put in jeopardy for that is so not worth it, including his own.\u201d<\/p>\n Electric bikes, motorcycles and dirt bikes have surged in popularity<\/a> in recent years and are especially popular among teenagers, offering them a new means of freedom and adrenaline. But the vehicles\u2019 high speeds come with real dangers.<\/p>\n In April, a 14-year-old boy in Orange County was arrested on suspicion of hitting an 81-year-old pedestrian<\/a> while riding an electric motorcycle, then fleeing the scene. <\/p>\n The victim, substitute teacher and Vietnam veteran Ed Ashman, died Thursday, according to the Orange County district attorney\u2019s office. The 14-year-old\u2019s mother has been charged with involuntary manslaughter as well as child endangerment, accessory after the fact, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and providing false information to a peace officer.<\/p>\n