Police Brief

A Newport Beach man suspected of trying to evade police drove into the

oil fields at the western end of 17th Street on Sunday night, plunging

about 20 feet into a ravine, police said.

Officers began following Robert Hawkins, 49, after they were notified

by an anonymous tip that he was possibly a drunk driver, according to

police reports. The man led the officers on a short chase before running

his car off the road at 7:40 p.m., police said.

Hawkins did not appear to be injured, police said, but he was taken to

the Hoag Hospital to be examined.

He was booked on suspicion of evading police and suspected drunk

driving, police said.