Suspect in Sheriff's Chase Released from Hospital Friday, Promptly Arrested

The suspect in a sheriff’s pursuit Wednesday in Murrieta that ended in a multiple-vehicle crash, halting evening rush-hour traffic, was arrested Friday.

Jonathan Michael Powers, 29, is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail at Southwest Justice Center on suspicion of DUI, possession of a controlled substance, felony hit and run, evading police and assault with a deadly weapon.

Riverside County sheriff’s Sgt. Lisa McConnell said Powers had been hospitalized since Wednesday due to injuries suffered in the incident.

Two others suffered minor injuries in the short pursuit that began at about 4:58 p.m. Wednesday at Winterset Court and Torrey Pines Road in the city of Murrieta, McConnell said.

The sergeant explained that deputies with the Riverside County sheriff’s Special Enforcement Team had attempted to stop Powers on suspicion of a vehicle code violation.

“The vehicle initially stopped on Winterset, a cul de sac, so the deputies got out of the car,” McConnell said. “But he (Powers) turned his car around on the cul de sac. He tried to run into the unit but they were able to avoid the collision.”

Deputies pursued Powers as he reportedly sped north on Margarita Road, then west on Murrieta Hot Springs Road until he ran a red light at West Via Princesa and crashed into another vehicle, McConnell said.

Powers was allegedly found to be in possession of heroin, which McConnell said deputies saw him throw out his car window during the chase.

Murrieta police and fire personnel responded to the crash, which resulted in a two-hour closure of Murrieta Hot Springs Road.

The sheriff’s vehicle involved in the pursuit had to be towed from the scene because a hose had come loose and smoke was coming from its engine, she said.

Upon Powers’ release from the hospital Friday, he was taken into sheriff’s custody, McConnell said.

The allegation of assault with a deadly weapon is because Powers reportedly tried to hit the deputies with his vehicle, she said.