Suspect in stolen vehicle struck by truck in Santa Ana during police pursuit seriously injured
The driver of an allegedly stolen vehicle involved in a police pursuit in Santa Ana, which ended in a crash, sustained serious injuries and was hospitalized Thursday, Jan. 16.
Officers attempted to stop a red truck that was speeding near Fairview Street and McFadden Avenue at about 12:59 a.m., Santa Ana Police said in a news release.
The driver failed to stop and was pursued by patrol vehicles. Authorities later determined that the pickup had been reported stolen in Huntington Beach.
The male diver of the stolen vehicle headed west on McFadden, occasionally travelling into opposing lanes of traffic, police said. He allegedly ran a red light at Harbor Boulevard just as a bobtail truck was approaching the intersection. It slammed into the pickup truck before rolling over and coming to rest on its passenger side, as seen in photos distributed by the SAPD.
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Orange County Fire Authority rescuers were seen using an ax to break open the windshield of the overturned bobtail truck in order to free its driver. That person suffered minor injuries, OCFA Battalion Chief Anthony Espinoza said.
The 26-year old Huntington Beach man behind the wheel of the stolen pickup also had to be freed from the wrecked vehicle, Espinoza said. He suffered potentially life-threatening injuries, and was transported by Care Ambulance to UCI Medical Center, Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said. He remained in treatment as of Thursday evening, and his identity was not immediately released.
“If he recovers, he faces many charges,” Bertagna said. “We will submit a case to the District Attorney for review.”
The incident was under investigation by the California Highway Patrol, with assistance from the SAPD. Authorities have asked anyone with information relevant to the pursuit or collision to contact Santa Ana Police Cpl. Daniel Carrillo at 714-245-8346.