A 41 YEAR-OLD MAN SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES WHEN HE CRASHED A STOLEN VEHICLE INTO the SIDE OF A SALINAS BUILDING LATE SUNDAY NIGHT. GARY DEAN, WHO FACES POSSIBLE CHARGES OF COMMITTING AUTO THEFT, DRUNKEN DRIVING, FLEEING FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, DRIVING ON A SUSPENDED LICENSE, AND A PAROLE VIOLATION, WAS AIR-LIFTED TO A SAN JOSE TRAUMA CENTER. ONCE RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL, DEAN WILL BE BOOKED INTO MONTEREY COUNTY JAIL.
THE INCIDENT BEGAN AROUND 11:30 P.M. WHEN OFFICERS ORDERED DEAN AND HIS FEMALE PASSENGER TO GET OUT OF THE STOLEN VEHICLE, AND HE SPED OFF IN IT INSTEAD. THE BRIEF CHASE ENDED WHEN DEAN LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAY 101 AND JOHN STREET.