Driver who hit Gordo the dog during police chase pleads guilty

Justice was swift for Gordo the dog.

Two days after a driver in a stolen Chevy Astro hit a Maltese mix during a televised police chase through South Los Angeles, the man pleaded guilty Friday and was sentenced to two years in prison.

Los Angeles County prosecutors said Yovani Rodriguez, 21, of Los Angeles, pleaded the same day he was charged with two felony counts, which included fleeing a peace officer’s vehicle while driving recklessly and driving or taking a vehicle without consent.

He was also convicted of misdemeanor hit-and-run causing property damage, which a spokeswoman for the district attorney’s office said was related to Gordo.

Wednesday’s pursuit began when a California Highway Patrol officer noticed the stolen van near Manchester and Central avenues, prosecutors said. The officer sounded his sirens, but the van did not stop.

Television news helicopters hovered overhead as the driver repeatedly ran red lights, circled neighborhoods, sped down alleyways and drove on sidewalks to avoid police.

The cameras captured the moment the dog was hit. The fluffy animal hobbled to his nearby home, injured and bloody, and was later rushed to a veterinary hospital.

Rodriguez managed to avoid multiple efforts by police to stop the van, including the deployment of a spike strip and two attempts by police cars to strike and stop the vehicle. The van eventually lost its front tires, sending a shower of sparks flying.

After a nearly hour-long chase, Rodriguez and a female passenger were taken into custody at gunpoint.

Prosecutors declined to file charges against the passenger, Gwendi Valenton, 26, of Bakersfield, saying there was insufficient evidence that she knew the vehicle was stolen, district attorney’s spokeswoman Sarah Ardalani said.

Support for Gordo came almost immediately. News trucks scoured the streets for his owners, and Twitter users began sending messages marked #savethewhitedog. Donations have flooded in to the Culver City hospital where he is being treated.

There was initial concern that Gordo might lose a leg, but veterinarians at Advanced Critical Care, Emergency and Specialty Services said his surgery Thursday went well. On Friday, the hospital said in an online update that Gordo was recovering well enough to spend time outside and that doctors were “optimistic” about his recovery.

Gordo, the hospital said, “remained affable and very affectionate, capturing the hearts of many of the doctors and technicians.”

“Yes, he’s one tough little guy!” the statement said.

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