Police: Man drove against traffic

A 34-year-old Aliso Viejo man was arrested on suspicion of driving drunk in the wrong direction on the 55 Freeway early Wednesday, police said.

Officers driving to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana spotted the driver in a 2005 Dodge Durango southbound in the northbound 55 Freeway’s carpool lane about 3:05 a.m., Costa Mesa Lt. Clay Epperson said. They radioed for help and another officer got on the freeway to start a wave in traffic to stop it before he crashed into someone, Epperson said.

“As he did this he encountered the wrong-way driver at MacArthur Boulevard,” Epperson said, adding that’s where the officer had halted traffic. “But it goes another 50 yards before it stops.”

Officers caught up to Jonathan Moos but he was in no condition to talk to them, Epperson said.

“The driver appeared to be substantially intoxicated and was uncooperative with police,” Epperson said. “He didn’t want to get out of his car or talk to us so they had to physically take him into custody.”

Moos was booked on suspicion of driving under the influence, driving the wrong way on the freeway and obstructing a police officer.

“The officers did an outstanding job identifying a real threat, looking after the public and getting him stopped before he killed himself or someone else,” Epperson said.

“The guys did a really good job. In a case like this you don’t have a lot of time to get something up and running.”

PAUL ANDERSON is the city editor for the Daily Pilot. He may be reached at (714) 966-4633 or at paul.anderson@latimes.com.