Suspected Hit-and-Run Driver Arrested After Allegedly Breaking Into House

A suspected hit-and-run driver was in custody today on suspicion of causing a head-on collision in La Mesa, injuring another motorist.

Parolee Benjamin Nicholas Davidson, 28, of El Cajon, is suspected of causing the hit-and-run crash at Fuerte Drive and Grossmont Boulevard shortly before 10 p.m. Tuesday, according to La Mesa police.

A patrolman was attempting to pull over the driver of a Saab sedan for speeding in the 9400 block of Fuerte Drive when that motorist made a quick turn onto Grossmont Boulevard and collided head-on into a Ford F-150 pickup, police said in a statement.

The driver of the Saab – later identified as Davidson – ran away after the crash and attempted to elude arrest by breaking into a home in the 9300 block of Wister Drive, police said. The owners of the home pushed the intruder out their front door, and after a brief foot chase with officers, Davidson was arrested.

The 49-year-old driver of the Ford F-150 complained of pain to his head and was taken by paramedics to a hospital to be checked out, police said.

Davidson also was taken to the hospital for cuts to his lower legs and hands suffered during the break-in at the Wister Drive home. He was expected to be booked into San Diego County Jail on suspicion of hit-and-run, residential burglary, possession of heroin, resisting a police officer and parole violation.