A 24-year-old man suspected of leading police on a pursuit that resulted in a fiery collision at a gas station in Indio is now facing felony charges.
Court records show that Zeus Rico from Desert Hot Springs has been charged with two felony counts of resisting an officer, as well as one count each of eluding a pursuing officer, evading arrest, and cruelty to an animal.
Rico was scheduled to be arraigned at the Larson Justice Center on Wednesday afternoon.
According to Sgt. Daniel Anes of the Cathedral City Police Department, an officer tried to stop a 2019 Honda Civic that ran a red light while heading east on East Palm Canyon at Van Fleet Street just before 3 a.m. on Saturday.
The vehicle, traveling at a high rate of speed, refused to yield and led the officer on a pursuit on Highway 111 to Indio. Despite crossing into opposite lanes multiple times, the vehicle continued to drive recklessly.
“After the pursuit was canceled, the suspect traveled another 3.5 miles before losing control and crashing near the intersection of Indio (Boulevard) and Van Buren Street,” stated Anes. “The suspect collided with two gas pumps at the Sinclair Gas Station.”
The collision caused a fire that was swiftly contained by the fire department. It only affected the vehicle and two gas pumps.
Rico was briefly hospitalized and then arrested after receiving medical clearance. It was discovered that he was driving with a suspended license and had a previous DUI arrest.
Rico had a dog with him, but fortunately, the dog remained unharmed and was safely taken to a local animal shelter.
As per inmate records, Rico is currently being held at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility with a bail set at $100,000.
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