A 21-year-old man who led authorities on a wild, hour-long pursuit on South Los Angeles surface streets earlier this week in which a dog named Gordo was hit has entered a guilty plea to charges in connection with the incident, the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office announced Friday.
Yovani Rodriguez was convicted on felony charges that included “fleeing a pursuing peace officer’s motor vehicle while driving recklessly, and driving or taking a vehicle without consent,” a news release from the DA’s office stated.
He was also convicted on a misdemeanor charge of hit-and-run driving that resulted in “property damage,” according to the DA’s office.
Rodriguez was driving a stolen van and fleeing from authorities during the televised pursuit Wednesday night when Gordo was struck, prompting an outcry on social media that led to the hashtag #savethewhitedog.
Gordo was rushed to an animal hospital that night and underwent successful surgery the next day for injuries that included fractures to his right hip and femur, and a deep muscle laceration on one of his legs.
Veterinarians said the dog was doing well following the surgery on Thursday at ACCESS Specialty Animal Hospital in Culver City.
In a statement on Friday, Shannon Brown, a representative for the hospital, said that veterinarians were “optimistic” about the dog’s recovery. Brown added that Gordo’s medical bills were believed to be fully covered thanks to an outpouring of support by generous donors.
A short time after Gordo was hit, Rodriguez and another occupant of the van, identified by the California Highway Patrol as 26-year-old Gwendi Yarubi Valenton, were taken into custody following a successful PIT maneuver by officers.
Rodriguez has been sentenced to two years in prison, according to the DA’s office.
A restitution hearing was scheduled for Oct. 20 at L.A. County Superior Court.