Crime & Safety

CHP Stops Driver Who Nearly Clips Bicycle Near Where Zachary Parke was Killed

David Perez ran away and eluded officers, police said.

A California Highway Patrol officer staking out Empire Grade at 9:30 p.m. Thursday, near the UC Santa Cruz site where bicyclist Zach Parke was killed in early June, saw a reckless driver who almost clipped another cyclist in the bike lane.

The officer chased a 2005 Dodge Durango, whose driver refused to pull over, pulled a U-turn and headed onto the college campus. The driver abandoned the car on Heller Drive and ran off.

The CHP identified the driver as David Perez, who is on parole for felony hit-and-run and larceny. He is also a registered sex offender.

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He is wanted for reckless driving, evading an officer and driving with a suspended license.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Perez is encouraged to contact CHP at 831-662-0511. 

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