A man with a long criminal history is accused of stealing a Tesla, speeding down a San Diego pedestrian boardwalk, and striking a woman before bystanders chased him down and tackled him, according to Fox News and local reports.
The incident unfolded at the Pacific Beach Boardwalk, where 39-year-old Juan Antonio Gonzaba allegedly hit a 25-year-old woman and left her seriously injured. Video footage shows the blue car barreling down the walkway as two people narrowly jumped out of the way.
Witness Alex Srour said he chased the suspect after seeing the car tear through the boardwalk, eventually shoving him to the ground. “He hit my bike, and it like pushed me really, it like launched me off to the side. People don’t expect a car to come through the boardwalk, like it’s just not normal,” Srour recalled, noting that his smart glasses recorded the confrontation.
A Stolen Car and a Violent Impact
According to NBC San Diego, Gonzaba allegedly stole the vehicle in La Jolla, but its owner tracked the car and alerted police. The woman who was struck was rushed to a hospital with a fractured spine, broken ribs, and a cut that required 20 stitches.
Gonzaba was suspected of being under the influence at the time of the incident. He now faces charges of assault with a deadly weapon, hit-and-run, and auto theft. He is being held without bail. At his initial court appearance after the incident, Gonzaba pleaded not guilty, per NBC.
Decades of Prior Offenses
The case has drawn attention not only for the dramatic bystander takedown but also for Gonzaba’s extensive record. According to 10 News, court records show he has 18 previous criminal cases dating back to 2009, with the most recent occurring last year. Those cases involved burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, auto theft, and attempted kidnapping, among other offenses. The cases span San Diego, East County, and South County, and the records indicate Gonzaba moved in and out of prison over the years.
The violent episode has left the victim with severe injuries and raised questions about how a man with such a lengthy history was on the streets. For now, Gonzaba remains behind bars as the legal process moves forward.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/crime/2026/09/17/watch-california-bystanders-nab-career-criminal-accused-driving-stolen-tesla-boardwalk-injuring-woman/