Intoxicated 17-year-old Stole Ex-Girlfriend’s Car, Crashed Wrong-Way in San Luis Obispo

A 17-year-old boy was arrested early Tuesday, April 7, 2026, after allegedly stealing his ex-girlfriend’s car, driving the wrong way on a one-way street, and crashing near Marsh and Higuera streets, according to the San Luis Obispo Police Department.

Just after 1:00 a.m., the California Highway Patrol discovered a heavily damaged vehicle with no driver present near the intersection.

As San Luis Obispo police officers assisted, they found evidence along Higuera Street indicating the car had been traveling northbound against the one-way traffic flow and may have rolled after striking a utility pole. Officers also found an open bottle of vodka on the vehicle’s dashboard.

Investigators contacted the registered owner, who reported her ex-boyfriend had taken the car after physically assaulting her. An employee at the Chevron station at Marsh and Higuera told officers a visibly intoxicated male had come into the store and provided a description.

Shortly afterward, a call to dispatch reported a suspicious person inside Avila Senior Living on Marsh Street matching that description.

Officers detained a 17-year-old male who they said was heavily intoxicated. The teen admitted he had been driving the vehicle and crashed, police said. Emergency medical services were called to transport him to a hospital for evaluation, but while in a parked ambulance he jumped out and ran.

Officers quickly apprehended him again. At the hospital, police said he continued trying to flee and was abusive toward hospital staff and officers.

After being medically cleared, the teen was booked into the Juvenile Services Center on suspicion of felony grand theft–automobile (PC 487(d)), felony corporal injury (PC 273.5), felony vehicle theft (VC 10851(a)), misdemeanor driving under the influence (VC 23152(a)), misdemeanor hit-and-run (VC 20002), and misdemeanor resisting arrest (PC 148(a)(1)). Police did not release the suspect’s name because he is a minor.