SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Reports of an erratic driver on US-50 over Echo Summit had law enforcement on alert Wednesday afternoon. Witnesses said the driver was crossing into oncoming traffic. California Highway Patrol (CHP) Officer J. Heitzman was on the lookout for the vehicle, a white Toyota Tundra when it was spotted west of Tamarack Pines.
Officer Heitzman attempted to pull over the driver, 36-year-old Ivan Q. Aguilar, over for suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI). Aguilar continued traveling on US-50 and failed to yield to emergency lights and siren. Multiple CHP units responded to assist.
Aguilar made multiple erratic driving movements, would stop on the shoulder, and then would continue driving after stopping. Aguilar also made dangerous U-turns on US-50. Aguilar finally yielded to the right shoulder on the westbound highway near Tamarack Pines.
According to the CHP report, Aguilar and a large German Shepherd dog exited the Toyota. Aguilar yelled expletives at Officer Heitzman, refused to comply with orders, and approached the officer in an aggressive manner. The CHP says Aguilar also appeared to be armed with a knife. Officer Heitzman deployed her electronic control device (taser) and arrested Aguilar at approximately 12:57 p.m. June 9. Multiple alcoholic beverages and a knife were located inside the Toyota truck.
Aguilar was treated for injuries from the taser darts and subsequently booked on multiple charges including evading without regard for public safety, DUI with priors, and obstruction. He is currently in the El Dorado County jail in South Lake Tahoe on $173,000 bail.
The dog was picked up by El Dorado County Animal Control and kept for safekeeping until a responsible party could pick him up.