Domestic violence suspect hits passing car, severs power pole during brief police chase in Fresno

A man wanted on felony domestic violence charges was arrested Wednesday after he led police on a brief chase through downtown and southwest Fresno in which he hit a passing car and severed a power pole.

Fresno police Lt. Dave Ramos said that Ernest Dean, 43, of Fresno, was wanted on charges of domestic violence, kidnapping and child endangerment stemming from a Dec. 21 incident. An undercover detective located Dean as he was driving his red Dodge Charger on Fresno Street near B Street. The detective called for backup, and officers attempted to stop Dean.

But he refused to stop, eventually veering onto Stanislaus Street, where he hit a passing car while driving against traffic. The driver of that vehicle had minor injuries and refused medical treatment, Ramos said.

Dean continued to evade police until he crashed into a power pole at Stanislaus and A Street. The pole was torn from the ground and landed in the center of the intersection.

Ramos said Dean left his badly damaged car and attempted to run away from police, who caught him soon after. He was booked on charges of domestic violence, hit and run, evading police and a probation violation.

Dean has a criminal history that includes convictions for being a felon with a gun, drug trafficking and resisting arrest, Ramos said.

Stanislaus and A will be closed for an hour or two while PG&E repairs the pole, Ramos said.

This story was originally published January 13, 2016 at 6:50 PM with the headline "Domestic violence suspect hits passing car, severs power pole during brief police chase in Fresno."