Driver arrested after Vehicle Pursuit ends in Templeton area

On Tuesday, January 14 at around 3 pm, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) San Luis Obispo Area units were attempting to locate a white 2014 Chevrolet Camaro which was reported as stolen. The vehicle had fled from a traffic stop and was last seen driving on Northbound US-101 while traveling at a high rate of speed on the Cuesta Grade. The CHP unit had lost a visual of the suspected vehicle. A be-on-the lookout was being conducted by CHP Templeton and San Luis Obispo Area units. At around 3:34 pm, a CHP Templeton Area unit located the vehicle traveling northbound at State Route-41 near Homestead Road. The CHP unit turned around and was attempting to overtake the vehicle. The vehicle went around a sharp curve in the roadway while traveling at an unsafe speed. The driver lost control of the vehicle as it traveled off the roadway surface toward the right and the front end of the vehicle impacted an oak tree. The driver, 25-year-old Jonah Fernandes of Corcoran, fled on foot and was later apprehended after a thorough search in the area was conducted. The passenger, 30-year-old Brittany Hughartaguilar of Hanford, was taken into custody at the collision scene. Both received minor injuries from the accident. Fernandes was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of stolen property and reckless driving. CHP Air Operations unit Helicopter-70, County of San Luis Obispo Sheriffs office, and Atascadero Police Department personnel responded and assisted with conducting the search of the subject.