Innocent Driver Killed In Collision With Stolen Vehicle Suspect In Torrance
TORRANCE (CBSLA.com) — An innocent driver was killed early Monday morning in Torrance when a stolen vehicle crashed during a police chase.
According to the Torrance Police Department, officers were notified of the whereabouts of a stolen vehicle at around 1:46 a.m. near Sepulveda Boulevard and Cabrillo Avenue. Officers located the newer model, silver Toyota Camry and instructed the driver to pull into a gas station located at Sepulveda and Maple Avenue.
A short time later, the suspects fled from the scene at a high rate of speed, causing a pursuit to subsequently ensue. The chase ended when the suspects collided with an uninvolved car traveling on Carson Street. The driver of the second vehicle died at the scene. The victim's name was not released pending family notification.
The occupants of the stolen vehicle, Zachary Alexander, 22, and Deborah Ornelas, 29, were transported to a hospital for minor injuries.
Alexander is being charged with murder, vehicle theft and felony evading, police said in a news release. Ornelas will be charged with vehicle theft when she is discharged from the hospital.
No officers were injured during the chase. The intersection of Carson Street and Maple Avenue was closed through Monday afternoon while detectives examined the scene.
California Highway Patrol is assisting with the investigation. Anyone with information about this incident has been urged to contact the Torrance Police Department at 310-618-5570.