Object lesson for today:

If you’re going to be allegedly drinking and driving, cutting in and out of traffic down Highway 14 and then nearly rear-ending an unmarked deputy vehicle – don’t flip the deputy off as you pass by.

Sylmar resident Carlos Ruano, driving a Ford F-150, apparently did all of that around 8 a.m. according the California Highway Patrol.

“The pick up truck approached the deputy’s vehicle from the rear, the plain wrapped vehicle, and almost struck it. When he went by the deputy he ended up flipping off the deputy,” said California Highway Patrol (CHP) Sgt. M.D. Hill.

Officials say Ruano was driving erratically, cutting other vehicles off and tailgating as he headed southbound on Highway 14. After nearly being rear-ended, the deputy in the unmarked vehicle (photo, left) continued to follow Ruano while calling for assistance from the CHP.

Before CHP could get involved, however; another deputy in a patrol vehicle joined the deputy in the unmarked car at which time they activated their emergency lights and sirens to initiate an enforcement stop.

The suspect allegedly fled from the two deputies at speeds ranging from 50 miles per hour up to 85 miles per hour depending on traffic conditions.

wide_felonyAs the Ford approached Soledad Canyon Road in the Canyon Country area the suspect observed the CHP officers on the side of the freeway waiting to enter the pursuit.

As soon as the CHP units pulled from the shoulder the suspect in the F-150 pulled over the right shoulder and voluntarily stopped.

“He was taken into custody for fleeing police officers using a motor vehicle. He’s also been arrested under suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol,” said Sgt. Hill.

Evading officers of the law is a felony. Ruano is expected to be booked in the Antelope Valley.