The incident began when Roth spotted a tan GMC SUV pulling a small trailer with no rear license plate in the area of Joshua Road and Avenue 13 1⁄4 in Madera County.
Roth recognized the driver of the vehicle from prior law enforcement contacts, and knew he had a suspended California driver’s license. Based on that knowledge, Roth set about trying to pull the suspect driver over.
The driver of the SUV, one Alexander Ibarra, failed to yield to Roth’s emergency overhead lights. After a pursuit reaching speeds up to 80 MPH and travelling approximately 4 miles, Ibarra lost control of his vehicle and spun into a canal. Deputy Roth then took Ibarra into custody without incident.
During the course of his investigation, Roth recovered methamphetamine, approximately 8.5 lbs of marijuana in various stages of processing for sales, and paraphernalia consistent with drug sales. Additionally, Ibarra had two outstanding warrants and is on active probation out of Madera County.
Ibarra refused medical treatment by EMS at the scene. He was transported and booked into the Madera County Department of Corrections for two warrants; multiple felony charges, including recklessly evading a peace officer; transportation/sale of a controlled substance; possession of narcotics for sale; possession of marijuana for sale; transportation of marijuana; violation of post-release community supervision; and several misdemeanor charges, including hit-and-run and driving with a suspended license.