Suspected DUI driver leads cops on wild chase before dramatic takedown on popular California beach

A 25‑year‑old San Diego resident was taken into custody Sunday morning after a chaotic pursuit that ended on a popular city beach. Police said the incident began just before 7:30 a.m. in the Pacific Beach neighborhood, where witnesses reported a tan or gold Nissan Frontier “doing donuts in parking lots, nearly hitting other vehicles and possibly striking curbs and a retaining wall.” The driver was later identified by police as Griffin Charles Foy.

When officers first responded, the truck was heading west toward the ocean. An officer tried to make a traffic stop, but the driver fled, sparking a high‑speed chase. Police said they ended the pursuit because of the driver’s “increasing wanton disregard to public safety.” Foy was wanted in connection with felony evading a peace officer, and the department deployed a helicopter to track the vehicle as it drove onto the beach and toward the water.

Video from the scene shows beachgoers frozen in the sand as officers converged on the pickup. Foy was seen outside the truck with his hands raised as police moved in to detain him. A police K‑9 was present at the scene, but the dog was not deployed during the arrest. The driver was taken into custody without incident and no injuries were reported.

Police said they conducted a high‑risk vehicle stop because of the nature of the alleged violations and Foy’s “disregard to public safety.” He was booked into San Diego Central Jail on charges of felony evading a peace officer with wanton disregard for safety, obstructing or resisting a peace officer, and driving under the influence of drugs.

The pursuit and arrest drew the attention of local media and the community. Despite the frantic chase, police confirmed that nobody was hurt during the incident. The case is now pending in the San Diego County court system.