WORTHINGTON - A complaint warrant has been issued for a Worthington man accused of taking law enforcement on a mid-November high-speed chase through some of the busiest parts of Worthington at speeds approximately 60 miles per hour greater than the posted limit.
Santiago Guajardo, 34, is wanted on charges related to a Nov. 11 high-speed chase that accelerated to speeds up to 85 and 90 mph - at times traveling in the opposite direction of traffic flow - through Worthington. The chase was eventually called off due to civilian safety concerns.
According to the complaint, a Worthington police officer was on routine patrol at 2:07 p.m. on Nov. 11 when he witnessed a vehicle traveling 55 mph in a 30-mph zone on Cecilee Street. The officer initiated the traffic stop after witnessing the vehicle fail to stop at a stop sign.
The officer activated its siren when the vehicle continued, driving into Sungold Heights Mobile Home Park in Worthington.
The complaint then describes that the suspect vehicle “spun out,” causing it to face the officer’s squad car, where the officer recognized the driver as Guajardo from previous police contacts.
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From there, the vehicle spun around and entered Oxford Street near First Avenue. The pursuit continued, and the officer allegedly witnessed the vehicle run the stop signal at the Oxford Street and Humiston Avenue intersection. When Guajardo turned around to travel the opposite direction on Oxford Street, he allegedly traveled on the wrong side of the median into oncoming traffic from the east from Smith Avenue to Clifton Avenue. The pursuit then ended due to the safety risk.
Guajardo has been charged with felony fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle; reckless driving, a misdemeanor; speeding (90 mph in a 30 mph zone); and failure to stop for a stop sign, both petty misdemeanors. The felony-level offense has a maximum punishment of three years imprisonment, a $5,000 fine or both.
Guajardo had not been arrested prior to Tuesday’s press time. Therefore, no mugshot was available.
