Police: Driver punches officer after being pulled over
Costa Mesa police used a Taser to subdue a driver who they say punched an officer in the face after being pulled over for speeding Tuesday afternoon.
About 1 p.m., an officer began following a Volkswagen Golf that was traveling about 80 mph south on Fairview Road near Newport Boulevard, Costa Mesa police Sgt. Bang Le said.
At first the Golf’s driver refused to stop, but he eventually pulled over near the intersection of Newport Boulevard and Virginia Place, according to police.
Backup officers arrived and boxed in the Golf before police approached the car, Le said.
The man inside was uncooperative, and when officers pulled him out of the car he started fighting with them, Le said.
One officer fell to the ground when the driver punched him in the face, according to police.
The punch left the officer with a bloodied and possibly broken nose, Le said.
“When the officer fell to the ground he also hit his head, but luckily he had a helmet on,” Le said.
Officers swarmed the driver and ultimately used a Taser to subdue him, according to police.
The officer and the driver were taken to hospitals for treatment, Le said.
Police arrested the driver on suspicion of assaulting a peace officer and resisting an officer.
Authorities identified him as Alain Gozukara, 19, of Newport Beach.
Twitter: @jeremiahdobruck
