Driver in DB Crash Faces Felony Charges

A man accused of leading highway patrol officials on a high speed chase through several cities before slamming into an innocent bystander’s car could be facing charges of felony evading and DUI.

Young N. Kim, 42, of Chino Hills, remained in custody at the Orange County Central Men’s jail in Santa Ana as of Tuesday. His bail was set at $100,000.

Kim was taken into custody about 8 p.m. in Diamond Bar on Sunday night following a high speed chase through at least four cities, said Officer Devon Boatman, with the California Highway Patrol’s Santa Ana station. The pursuit hit speeds of up to 110 miles per hour, he said.

A CHP officer first spotted Kim at 7:18 p.m. in a 2007 Cadillac Escalade on the 91 Freeway east of Weir Canyon, Boatman said.

“He was using a cell phone,” Boatman said. “The officer tried to initiate a stop but the driver sped away.”

The driver wound his way through Yorba Linda, Chino Hills, Baldwin Park and Diamond Bar using freeways and surface streets, CHP officials said.

At one point, Kim reportedly dropped off a female passenger. Boatman said he did not have information on the woman.

Eventually, Kim ended up northbound on Grand Avenue, where he slammed into a Lexus IS250 driven by 40-year-old Maria Calderon, of West Covina, who was exiting the 57 Freeway at Grand, officials said.

“It’s just very unfortunate that someone was injured in this,” Boatman said.

Calderon’s injuries were not critical. Kim was uninjured. He is scheduled to appear in court on July 25 at the North Justice Center in Fullerton.