A man who sped recklessly on the streets on Ceres and prompted a high-speed police chase in the center of Ceres explained that he was drunk before his arrest.

Officer Dan Graziose was near Mitchell Road and Whitmore Avenue at 2:33 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 19 when he observed a white Dodge Caravan traveling southbound on Mitchell Road at a high rate of speed. The vehicle turned west onto Whitmore Avenue so fast that the tires rolled on the rim and sparks flew from the rim as it hit the pavement. The mini-van sped down Whitmore Avenue when Officer Graziose activated lights and siren and attempted to pull over the driver. The driver, Kyle Burnshess, 32, of Ceres, kept going and was swerving around other vehicles travelling westbound on Whitmore Avenue. On several occasions Burnshess nearly lost control and he blew through a red light at Whitmore Avenue and Ninth Street in excess of 80 mph.

As the pursuit continued on Whitmore Avenue, Officer Graziose said Burnshess crossed the center lane into the oncoming lanes of traffic and was headed toward a collision with a building at the intersection of Whitmore Avenue and Fourth Street when the tire grinded against the curb. Burnshess blew through a red light at Whitmore and Central Avenue in excess of 80 mph. The driver sped until he finally stopped for a red light at Whitmore Avenue and Morgan Road where the officers conducted a high-risk traffic stop and removed Burnshess at gunpoint. He complied and was placed in handcuffs.

Burnshess told Officer Graziose that he was drunk. Burnshess appeared drunk during a field sobriety test. A breath sample revealed he was nearly three times over the legal limit.

Burnshess was booked into the Stanislaus County Jail on charges of DUI, evading, and reckless driving.