Chaos erupted on a Santee roadway after a high-speed collision turned into a hit-and-run incident on Sunday. Following up on reports, San Diego Sheriff's Deputies arrived at the 9000 block of Mission Gorge Road around 9:27 PM to a scene where a motorist was left amidst traffic in their vehicle, struck by another that was allegedly speeding near the intersection with Fanita Drive. Witnesses added to the disarray, describing a suspect fleeing the crash site in dark clothing, heading toward the San Diego River.
Deputies quickly cordoned off the area as the search intensified, aided by the Sheriff's ASTREA helicopter and a K9 unit, both scouring for the hit-and-run culprit. Running towards the river with deputies in pursuit, the suspect attempted to hide under local vehicles and amid the brush in a residential area. The San Diego County Sheriff's Office confirmed these details in their report, highlighting the participation of community members who dialed in with tips that eventually led to the suspect's apprehension.
Once detained, the suspect, identified as 37-year-old Robert Panza, appeared intoxicated and was taken into custody without further incident. Despite the chase and the cunning attempts to evade law enforcement, Panza could not outwit the collaborative efforts of the deputies and the vigilant Santee community. The aftermath of the risky evasion was a handcuffed Panza, booked on misdemeanor charges for driving under the influence (DUI) and hit-and-run offenses.
