San Luis Obispo County

Motorcycle accident sends man to Marian

A Santa Maria man remained hospitalized after falling off his motorcycle as a result of a collision that snarled Highway 101 traffic south of Tefft Street Saturday.

Tomas Olvera III, 34, suffered a broken right leg, and abrasions to his back, left arm and hand in the 12:50 p.m. incident, according to the California Highway Patrol. Olvera was listed in good condition at Marian Medical Center, a nursing supervisor said Saturday night.

Olvera was riding a 2003 Indian motorcycle north on 101 behind a slower-moving SUV pulling a trailer in the slow lane, the CHP said in a report. Olvera's motorcycle was traveling at about 70 mph and the SUV, driven by DeWayne Okane, 78, of Pismo Beach, was traveling about 45 to 55 mph.

Olvera's motorcycle struck the rear of the trailer, lost control and struck another motorcyclist's rear wheel, the CHP said. Olvera fell off and slid for more than 125 feet and came to rest in the median. He was wearing a helmet, leather jacket, Levi jeans and leather boots, the CHP said.

The incident caused traffic to back up for a mile on the highway, according the CHP's Web site. The lanes were reported clear by 1:51 p.m.

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Santa Maria

Parole officers arrest kidnapping suspect

A Nipomo man suspected of briefly kidnapping his wife Wednesday has been arrested.

Javier Vargas Jr., 25, was booked at the Santa Barbara County Jail Friday and is being held without bail on a parole violation, jail staff said Saturday.

Vargas had allegedly kidnapped his wife from her workplace in Santa Maria and drove her to their home in the 500 block of Angelina Court in Nipomo, according to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Department.

He fled in a red Dodge Dakota truck, and according to the department, Vargas was described as suicidal.

State parole officers' reportedly arrested Vargas, but other details were not available Saturday.

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Santa Maria

Teen in custody after high-speed chase

A high-speed pursuit that started in the city and continued onto Highway 101 ended with the arrest of a Santa Maria teen Friday night.

Francisco Ortega, 18, was arrested on suspicion of felony evasion of arrest, unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor and child endangerment, according to the Santa Maria Police Department.

He was driving a late-model Chevrolet El Camino with a 15-year-old girl as his passenger shortly after 6:30 p.m. when an officer tried to stop him for a seat belt violation near College Drive and Stowell Road, said Lt. Craig Ritz. The name of the passenger was withheld because of her age.

The El Camino allegedly reached speeds of up to 90 mph south on Highway 101 before exiting at the Santa Maria Way

offramp, police said. Ortega drove the vehicle back on 101 north and exited on Main Street.

The 10-minute pursuit ended in the 800 block of East Main and the 15-year-old was released to the custody of her parents, Ritz said.

Ortega is being held without bail on a probation violation charge at the Santa Barbara County Jail, jail staff said.

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Santa Maria

Car, foot chase ends in arrest of S.M. man

A Santa Maria man was arrested after a brief vehicle and foot pursuit in the western part of town Friday night.

Luis Gonzalez Diaz, 29, was allegedly speeding in the 300 block of North Western Avenue where he led a Santa Maria police corporal on a pursuit around 11:30 p.m., according to a police report.

Diaz's vehicle crashed with two parked cars shortly after the pursuit began but he then ran away, police said.

After a short foot chase, Diaz was detained without incident and was later booked at the County Jail on suspicion of felony evasion of arrest, driving without a license and while under the influence, police said.

His bail was set at $75,000, jail staff said.

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Nacimiento Lake

Allegedly intoxicated 15-year-old found

A 15-year-old who was reported missing at Nacimiento Lake was later found alive and under the influence of alcohol Saturday, a San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's watch commander said.

A sheriff's marine enforcement unit was alerted that the teen was missing after he submerged into the lake around 4:45 p.m., said Sgt. Tony Perry.

A California Highway Patrol helicopter assisted in the search but the teen was later found nearby at Las Tablas Cove around 6 p.m., he said.

The teen, whose name was withheld because of his age, was allegedly drunk and was arrested on suspicion of public intoxication, Perry said.

- From staff reports