A multiple car collision near Lander Avenue and Highway 99 on Wednesday led to the arrest of a man with a reputation from fleeing officers. Appropriately enough, his arrest came after a pursuit.

At 7:46 p.m. on Wednesday the Turlock Police Department responded to the area of Lander Avenue and Highway 99 for a report of a collision involving multiple vehicles. The person reporting the collision gave dispatch the license place number of the vehicle that caused the crash.

“One of the responding officers recognized the plate number as being associated with a pursuit in Ceres earlier in the day,” said Turlock Police spokeswoman Dominique Sanchez.

The officer relayed this information to dispatch and they had it confirmed with the Ceres Police Department. The Ceres Police Department told Turlock that the driver, who was identified as Nicolas Espino-Diaz, 37 of Ceres, had warrants out for his arrest.

As the first officer was arriving at the scene he was told that Espino-Diaz was fleeing the scene on foot.

“Another officer located a male subject running southbound on Lander towards Highway 99,” Sanchez said. “The officer attempted to stop the suspect but he refused to comply with commands.

Espino-Diaz ran up the center divider hill of the highway and crossed the southbound lanes into an embankment just south of the highway, with officers giving chase over several lanes of traffic, Sanchez said.

“K9 Ace and his handler arrived on scene and commands were given before our canine was deployed,” Snachez said.

Espino-Diaz was arrested and booked for driving under the influence causing bodily injury, driving on a restricted license, hit and run accident causing injury, a felony warrant, and probation violations.