San Diego police have identified Panayiota Xirogiannis, 34, as the driver who led authorities on a dangerous wrong-way pursuit on Interstate 15 Tuesday morning. The incident began around 7:30 a.m. when officers responded to a possible trailer theft report in the 7500 block of Balboa Avenue.

Officers attempted to stop Xirogiannis but she fled, triggering a pursuit that shut down northbound I-15. Her vehicle eventually lost a tire and became disabled in the middle lanes. After refusing to engage with officers for over an hour, police deployed pepper balls before she drove off-road, nearly hitting an 82-year-old man.

Xirogiannis then entered southbound lanes and began driving against oncoming traffic. Due to safety concerns, officers discontinued the pursuit. The vehicle stopped between Carroll Canyon Road and Mira Mesa Boulevard, where she attempted to enter other vehicles before arrest. She faces multiple charges including assault with a deadly weapon, carjacking, felony evading, and reckless driving. A dog found with her was taken to the San Diego Humane Society.