One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Driver Arrested For Going 30 MPH Through Glendale, In Reverse
Photo by Non Paratus via LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr
Photo by Non Paratus via LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr
A 49-year-old man could face reckless driving charges after police spotting his Mazda going 30 mph in reverse for approximately three miles through central Glendale on Saturday, reports the Glendale News-Press. An off-duty officer reportedly spotted Gurgen Gukasyan at about 6 a.m. on North Glendale Avenue looking over his shoulder as he drove backward with his right arm on the passenger seat and his head turned.
Police reports indicate his route continued westbound on Monterey Road, and north on Geneva Street to West Glenoaks Boulevard, swerving between the lanes, as he allegedly was headed to a friend's residence. He stopped in the 1100 block of Graynold Avenue, parked, and exited the vehicle where he was arrested on suspicion of reckless driving. He was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol, say police.
Gukasyan was also the driver arrested on Dec. 20 for allegedly causing more than $4000 worth of damage after driving his car up onto Verdugo Park on Cañada Boulevard, parking, and blaring music, and causing deep tire marks in the grass. Notes the Glendale News-Press, no injuries were reported in his latest display of "disregard for public safety."
Charges had not been filed against Gukasyan as of Monday afternoon, said a Los Angeles County district attorney’s office spokeswoman, and he was released from custody on Saturday after posting $5,000 bail, reports the Glendale News-Press.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
