A 36-year-old Santa Clarita man was tased and arrested Sunday afternoon after allegedly causing a five-vehicle crash and then fleeing from deputies on foot in Newhall.

Deputies with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station responded at approximately 4:32 p.m. Feb. 22, 2026, to reports of a multi-vehicle crash at the intersection of Railroad Avenue and Oak Ridge Drive, according to station spokesperson Shirley Miller.

Callers, as well as KHTS Radio, reported that individuals involved in the crash were engaged in a physical altercation in the roadway.

Upon arrival, deputies contacted a suspect who authorities said appeared to have assaulted other parties involved in the collision. The man was reportedly uncooperative and refused repeated verbal commands from deputies attempting to detain him.

“In order to safely detain the suspect and prevent further escalation, a deputy deployed a Taser,” Miller said. “Despite the Taser deployment, the suspect fled on foot.”

 

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Deputies established a containment in the immediate area and apprehended the suspect a short time later without further incident.

The suspect, identified as 36-year-old Dennis Morales of Santa Clarita, was arrested on misdemeanor charges of resisting a peace officer, possession of a controlled substance and hit-and-run.

Morales was transported to a local hospital for treatment and later booked at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station jail after being medically cleared.

Preliminary investigation indicates Morales allegedly ran a red light, striking a vehicle that was turning through the intersection.

“The force of the impact caused both vehicles to collide with three additional moving vehicles,” Miller said.

One person was transported to the hospital for medical treatment. No deputies were injured during the incident.

The investigation is ongoing.

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