Bystanders Pursue Tesla Thief After Wild Boardwalk Crash

WHO:

CBS 8 - The suspect has been identified as 39-year-old Juan Gonzaba.

ABC News - A man driving a stolen Tesla was involved in the incident.

CBS News US - Witnesses included bystanders and a man wearing "smart glasses."

WHAT:

ABC News - The driver struck an electrical transformer before steering onto the beachfront city boardwalk from Pacific Beach Drive.

CBS News US - Witness Alex Srour stated, "I immediately dove off my bike, and Gonzaba plowed through the boardwalk and even hit my bike."

TMZ - Footage filmed on a bystander's glasses shows Gonzaba attempting to flee the scene after exiting the Tesla.

ABC News - The person who was hit is recovering in a local hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

CBS 8 - Gonzaba was booked into the San Diego Central Jail on multiple charges, including DUI alcohol/drugs causing bodily injury, hit-and-run involving death/injury, vehicle theft, and felony evading a peace officer with disregard for safety.

CBS 8 - Gonzaba's bond is set at $100,000.

10News.com - The crash critically injured a 25-year-old woman.

10News.com - Gonzaba has 18 previous criminal cases dating back to 2009, including burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, auto theft, and attempted kidnapping.

10News.com - The owner of the stolen Tesla reported the vehicle stolen and was tracking it via an app.

CBS 8 - Gonzaba's bond is set at $100,000.

ABC News - The driver crashed onto a busy boardwalk at a San Diego beach.

CBS News US - The stolen Tesla hit a woman, prompting a chase by bystanders.

TMZ - The suspect was chased down by bystanders, and the incident was captured on video.

WHERE:

ABC News - The incident occurred on a busy boardwalk at a San Diego beach.

CBS News US - The location specified is the Pacific Beach boardwalk in San Diego.

WHEN:

CBS 8 - Gonzaba's first court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept 16.

CBS News US - The incident involved a stolen Tesla racing down the boardwalk.

WHY:

CBS News US - The driver attempted to flee after hitting a woman.

HOW:

ABC News - Witnesses reported that the chase involved multiple bystanders who restrained Gonzaba after he attempted to flee.

CBS 8 - Witness Alex Srour stated, "I kind of had a feeling he's gonna run... If I didn't have my Birkenstocks on, it would be a lot easier to get after him."

10News.com - Witness Alex Srour stated, "I never expected this to happen to me," reflecting on the shock of the incident.

CBS 8 - The police initially spotted the stolen Tesla at Mission Boulevard and attempted to pull Gonzaba over at 12:30 p.m. before the pursuit began.

ABC News - A witness recorded the driver attempting to flee using "smart glasses."

TMZ - Footage filmed on a bystander's glasses shows the suspect exiting the Tesla.

(UPDATED September 16, 2026 21:01 UTC)

A dramatic incident unfolded when a driver struck an electrical transformer before veering onto the beachfront city boardwalk from Pacific Beach Drive. Witness Alex Srour described the chaos, saying he dove off his bike as the driver plowed through the boardwalk, even hitting his bike in the process. Footage captured by a bystander's glasses shows the driver, identified as Gonzaba, attempting to flee the scene before multiple bystanders intervened and restrained him.

(UPDATED September 16, 2026 17:00 UTC)

A person who was hit is currently recovering in a local hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Gonzaba has been booked into the San Diego Central Jail on multiple charges, including DUI alcohol/drugs causing bodily injury, hit-and-run involving death or injury, vehicle theft, and felony evading a peace officer with disregard for safety, with a bond set at $100,000. Witness Alex Srour mentioned that he had a feeling Gonzaba would try to run, adding that if he hadn't been wearing his Birkenstocks, it would have been easier to chase after him.

(UPDATED September 16, 2026 13:06 UTC)

A 25-year-old woman was critically injured in a crash involving a stolen Tesla, which the owner had reported and was tracking through an app. The suspect, Gonzaba, has a lengthy criminal history with 18 previous cases dating back to 2009, including serious offenses like burglary and attempted kidnapping. Witness Alex Srour expressed his disbelief, stating, "I never expected this to happen to me," highlighting the shock felt by those who witnessed the incident.

(UPDATED September 16, 2026 11:01 UTC)

The suspect in a recent incident has been identified as 39-year-old Juan Gonzaba, who has been booked into the San Diego Central Jail on multiple serious charges, including DUI causing bodily injury, hit-and-run, vehicle theft, and felony evading a peace officer. Gonzaba's bond has been set at $100,000, and he is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Wednesday, September 16. The police initially spotted a stolen Tesla at Mission Boulevard and attempted to pull Gonzaba over at 12:30 p.m. before the pursuit began.

(UPDATED September 16, 2026 01:59 UTC)

A man driving a stolen Tesla crashed onto the busy Pacific Beach boardwalk in San Diego, hitting a woman and prompting a chase by bystanders. Witnesses, including a man wearing "smart glasses," recorded the incident, capturing footage of the suspect attempting to flee the scene. The dramatic events unfolded as bystanders pursued the driver, and the entire incident was caught on video.