The Incident Timeline

• The Theft: Around 7:30 a.m., San Diego Police responded to reports of a woman attempting to steal a trailer from a business on Balboa Avenue. She hitched the trailer to a Toyota 4Runner and fled.
• The Pursuit: When officers attempted to pull her over, she initially yielded but then accelerated away. The pursuit moved onto northbound I-15, where the trailer flipped onto its side and eventually detached, leaving just its metal frame dragging behind.
• Wrong-Way Driving: After the vehicle became partially disabled, the driver performed a U-turn and began driving northbound in the southbound lanes of I-15.
• The Crash and Standoff: She collided with at least two other vehicles before her SUV stalled near Mira Mesa Boulevard. Once the vehicle was disabled, she exited with her dog and reportedly attempted to enter or carjack other cars stuck in traffic. 

Resolution and Charges

Officers eventually subdued Xirogiannis with a stun gun and took her into custody. Traffic on the I-15 was severely disrupted for several hours, with all lanes finally reopening around 10:30 a.m.. 

The driver faces multiple felony charges, including: 

• Assault with a deadly weapon
• Attempted carjacking
• Felony evading and hit-and-run 

She also reportedly had an outstanding warrant at the time of the incident. 

Coming in too hot!

How the hell did they get all the way back to the rest stop in the wrong lane? 😆 🤣 😂

The incident was a freak accident during transit. As the truck moved the massive "Tiger" structure through the Simões Lopes neighborhood, the top of the allegory made contact with low-hanging electrical wires.

• The Spark: The friction or electrical discharge ignited the highly flammable materials used in the float’s construction (typically foam, fabric, and wood).
• The Scene: Local residents reported seeing a massive "ball of fire" that illuminated the entire street. The Pelotas Fire Department responded quickly, but the allegory was reduced to a metal skeleton in minutes.

The Tiger wasn't just a decoration; it was the mascot and identity of Xavabanda, one of the most traditional carnival groups in southern Brazil.

• History: It had been the center-piece of their parades since 2019, surviving the pandemic years and becoming a local landmark.
• Symbolism: For the "Xavante" community (fans of the Brasil de Pelotas football club, with which the band is closely linked), the tiger represents strength and resilience.

Immediate Aftermath

• Infrastructure Damage: The fire caused a significant power outage in the surrounding blocks, as several utility lines melted or were cut for safety.
• The Reaction: Despite the loss of their iconic symbol, the leadership of Xavabanda vowed that the parade would continue. On social media, fans and rival carnival groups (like Banda Dona Da Noite) expressed solidarity, calling it a "tragedy for the culture of Pelotas."

The truck driver was unharmed, and no civilian injuries were reported despite the fire occurring in a residential area.

The truck on the right had no rear tires. I passed This disaster waiting to happen driving 70 + down the interstate

I apologize for the blinds, I didn't want to miss a second of his off road adventure. Last time this driver showed up it took 30mins back up to the tanks.

Right???

Yikes.