San Diego boardwalk hit-and-run suspect pleads not guilty

Juan Antonio Gonzaba, 39, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday following a high-speed chase and hit-and-run incident on the Pacific Beach boardwalk in San Diego. The incident began when Gonzaba allegedly stole a Tesla in La Jolla and fled from police, eventually crashing into a roadside electrical transformer and driving onto a crowded boardwalk.

A 25-year-old woman was seriously injured in the collision, suffering fractured ribs, fractured vertebrae, and an abdominal laceration. During the chaos, bystanders, including Alex Srour, chased and restrained the suspect after he abandoned the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot. Srour captured portions of the pursuit using smart glasses.

Gonzaba faces significant prison time, potentially up to 24 years and eight months, if convicted on all charges. He has an extensive criminal history involving assault, burglary, and grand theft. During his court appearance, reports indicated he acted erratically, including banging his head against a glass wall.