Driver in stolen car crashes into bus

A driver who led sheriff ’s deputies on a pursuit through three North County cities in a stolen vehicle on Saturday night was captured after he crashed into a Metropolitan Transit System bus in Encinitas, authorities said.

The 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of three felonies: evasion, vehicle theft and possession of a stolen vehicle, according to sheriff ’s Sgt. Chris Hydar.

Padilla was booked into the Vista Detention Facility, and bail was set at $50,000. He was scheduled to be arraigned on March 9.

The pursuit began at about 8:45 p.m. when deputies from the San Marcos sheriff ’s station’s Gang Enforcement Team saw an occupied stolen vehicle near the intersection of Rancho Santa Fe Road and Capalina Road in San Marcos, Hydar said.

“Deputies tried to pull the stolen car over, but the driver did not stop, resulting in a vehicle pursuit through the cities of Vista, Carlsbad and Encinitas,” Hydar said.

The driver exited southbound Interstate 5 at Encinitas Boulevard and collided with an MTS bus, Hydar said. No one on the bus was injured.

The driver then fled the stolen car and was apprehended by deputies, authorities said.