Isidro Chavez Gonzalez is charged in connection with a March 19, 2025, incident in which authorities say he used a sickle, a sharp farming tool, to attack multiple people.
According to investigators, Gonzalez approached three individuals at a bus stop, including one person using a walker, and began assaulting them. Police allege he then entered a nearby business, stabbed another person, stole a vehicle and fled the scene.
During Monday's preliminary hearing, the first Atwater police officer to respond testified about pursuing Gonzalez shortly after the alleged carjacking.
"I got behind the vehicle, the vehicle sped off, and it was a pursuit that came after that," the officer said.
The officer told the court that Gonzalez drove a gray pickup truck at speeds reaching up to 105 miles per hour and, at times, veered into oncoming traffic.
"Vehicle ran a couple stop signs, went opposite lanes of traffic at a high rate of speed. Vehicle failed to yield for a little while," the officer testified.
The chase continued onto Highway 41, where authorities say Gonzalez lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a sign and a pole. The officer described confronting Gonzalez immediately after the crash.
"I got out of my vehicle. I pointed my firearm at the suspect and told him he needed to stop. He put the car in reverse. At that point, I tried to reverse out of where he was," the officer said.
The truck eventually became stuck in the sand and Gonzalez remained inside until additional officers arrived. The officer also testified that at one point, Gonzalez used a vape pen before being taken into custody.
Gonzalez faces several charges, including attempted murder, carjacking and evading police.
The preliminary hearing is expected to continue on Tuesday, with additional witnesses scheduled to testify.
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