WESTFIELD–After a Westfield man was allegedly caught speeding by Westfield Police, he attempted to get away and police said he swapped seats with his passenger during the pursuit.
Franscisco Jesus Echevarria, 18, was arrested Tuesday evening and charged with unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, failure to stop for police, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and speeding.
Police said that they were traveling down Meadow Street when Echevarria, who was driving a 2006 Hyundai Elantra, allegedly drove by them at around 50 MPH. The posted speed limit on Meadow Street can range from 30 MPH to 35 MPH.
Police said that they turned on their emergency lights and began to follow the Elantra. Police allege that Echevarria however, refused to pull over.
Instead, police allege that Echevarria led police on a chase west down Meadow Street to Union Avenue, refusing to pull over to sirens and commands and swerving several times, including between cars. During this time, police also alleged that Echevarria somehow got out of his seat and managed to swap with his unnamed female passenger so that she was allegedly driving and he was not.
Police were able to stop the vehicle–which was by now being allegedly operated by the female–at the railroad trestle on Union Avenue when traffic was reportedly too heavy to bypass.
Police arrested Echevarria and reportedly did not pursue charges against the unnamed female.
