Police continue to search for a suspect who drove through a barrier at the San Diego Pride Festival and led officers on a chase to the East County on Saturday night.

The incident happened around 10:30 p.m. Saturday at Sixth Avenue and Laurel Street near the Pride Music Festival, San Diego Police Department (SDPD) said.

Police said the driver was trying to leave the area when he ignored a uniformed Traffic Control Officer and drove through the barricade. The officer had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit.

The driver came close to striking other San Diego Police Traffic Controller Officers as well, police said.

The suspect then sideswiped a parked car a few blocks away with a woman who was six months pregnant inside, police said. The woman was taken to the hospital with complaints of back pain.

The suspect fled the scene, leading police on a chase on southbound Interstate 5 to eastbound state Route 94 to northbound state Route 125.

He exited the freeway on Lemon Avenue and continued to lead police on a chase through La Mesa before striking an SDPD K-9 unit police cruiser.

The suspect then ditched the black Honda Odyssey minivan outside of La Mesa Arts Academy on Junior High Drive in La Mesa.

Police called off the search after a few hours when they could not find him. Investigators do not believe the driver was trying to hit anyone.

"It is apparent the suspect was merely trying to leave the area and then was attempting to elude capture," SDPD Sgt. Michael Tansey said.



The suspect was described as a man in his 30s with close-cut hair and a dark colored shirt.

Western Division detectives, in conjunction with Traffic Division personnel, will be conducting the investigation.