The VW slams into a car knocking the rear end up into the air and sends the car careening into the ditch off the median, narrowly missing several other cars in the process. For a moment I am completely dumfounded, wondering out loud "Did I just see that?!?"

The VW swerves into the #1 lane and somehow regains control. Realizing what just happened, the VW then jumps into the carpool lane and floors it. At this point I had already passed the people who had crashed and others were stopping to help so I figured "I am NOT letting this person get away." I turn off the radio, grab my phone and dial 911. Punching my Tundra I jump into the carpool lane to pursue. Now, I already admitted this to both the Police and the CHP (and they said "It's cool") so I feel it's ok to post this. I had gotten my truck up to the speed limiter (about 105mph) and the Jetta was still -- pulling -- away. I kept the car in sight until it jumped out of the carpool lane and slowed down. "The driver must have thought they got away" I mused. I snuck in behind the driver as they pull off the freeway onto the 133 South.

Unfortunately (for them) the VW ends up behind several other cars and can't immediately pull around to get away. The car is swerving back and forth. At first I thought they were trying to go around but it soon became apparent the driver was drunk. Passing over the bridge it nearly clipped one of the bridge support structures. About this time I finally get CHP/911 on the phone (it took at least 5 minutes to get someone). I give her the information and let her know I am following. The 911 operator says "We don't normally encourage drivers to pursue but if you can keep her in sight that would be a great help." I reply "There is no way I am letting this drunk driver get away, I'll stay with her as long as I can without causing another accident."

Several times the VW nearly clipped cars going the *opposite* direction. As soon as traffic was clear the VW jumped into the center lane and sped around at least 4 cars. I followed (and I too was given the "high beam salute" by the drivers behind us who had no idea what was going on) and watched as the VW went up to 80mph through the 45 and sometimes 35mph turns. On many occasions I thought the car was going to flip.

Finally, as we near Laguna Beach the driver slams on the brakes and starts to make a U-Turn but instead, pulls into a business area, between some garages. I pull up behind the driver, still talking to the 911 operator, waiting to see who it was and if they had a weapon. I was prepared to use my truck in self defense but luckily it wasn't necessary. The driver opens the door, stumbles out of the car and I see it's a woman. Seeing she had no weapon (thank the Good Lord) I block her car with my truck (she was definitely not moving from that spot) and get out. She starts to walk away, stumbling, and I say to her "Stop, you are not going anywhere."

She replies back to me "You are a F****** A-hole, I didn't do anything wrong." I tell her that I just saw her hit another car on the freeway and that she nearly hit me and the cops are on their way. She continues to scream obscenities at me as she gets back into her car. I stick my body between the car door and her (she's now in the driver's seat fumbling for her keys). As she grabs her keys she again screams more obscenities at me saying "Leave me alone, I didn't do anything wrong, why are you being an a**hole?!" I say "You are not going anywhere, the Police will be here any second." At that point she tries to start the car and I snatch the keys from her. She gets *extremely* irate with me. I thought "Man, I really hope I don't have to throw her on the ground and sit on her."

She continues to berate me but does nothing. So I walk towards the street, still talking to 911 to tell them where I am when Laguna P.D. shows up. I wave him over and say "That's her!" and she calmly gets out of her car and starts to walk around the backside of the building. The Police Officer runs at full sprint and catches her. This is where the the fun begins. She starts struggling with the Officer repeating "I didn't do anything, why are you bothering me?" Another Officer shows up and runs over to help his partner. She repeats while struggling "Leave me alone, I didn't do anything!!" The Officer says "Do you see the massive damage to the front end of your car?? How do you suppose that happened?

Her answer was classic! "I hit a gate..."

The Officer to his credit tried not to laugh. "Well" he says "Do you see that gentleman over there? He witnessed the whole thing and you are under arrest."

They bring her back to one of the Patrol Cars, the whole time she is arguing, screaming, crying, yelling profanities, etc. until they shut the door. I stayed for about 45 minutes to give my report to both the Laguna P.D. and eventually the CHP (when they finally arrived). They did tell me the couple that she hit is OK, just some minor bumps and bruises and thanked me for helping out.

I don't know if what I did was stupid or not, but I do know that I would want someone to track down a hit and run driver if they hit me. However, what bothered me most is this.

"What if I had been on my bike?" If I was on my bike she might have never seen me and I might not be alive to tell this story. This is one of the reasons why I despise riding at night. You never know what drunk is going to be coming home from a party and take you out, even on a Monday night.

Ride safe.