Suspect In Santa Ana Pursuit Case Shot By Police Dies In Hospital
SANTA ANA (CBSLA.com) — A suspect who was shot by police before a related car chase that killed a pedestrian unfolded has died in hospital, according to authorities.
The unidentified man was wounded in an officer-involved shooting on the 1000 block of West Central Avenue just before 12 p.m. Thursday.
A spokesperson for the Santa Ana Police Department told City News Service officers saw two parked cars with people in and around them involved in "some sort of criminal activity".
Police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said officers approached the group and a fight broke out between at least one officer and one of four male suspects involved in the later pursuit.
An officer fired shots, critically injuring one of the men. The suspect was pronounced dead at a local hospital, Bertagna said.
Three other male suspects fled the scene in a white Dodge Charger and led police on a chase lasting approximately 20 minutes.
The pursuit ended at the intersection of Flower Street and MacArthur Boulevard at 12:10 p.m. when the vehicle reportedly blew through a red light and hit an unidentified pedestrian.
The victim, described as a male in his late 40s or early 50s, died at the scene.
Bertagna told KCAL9 the vehicle was involved in a hit-and-run before the fatal accident.
The car was disabled upon its second impact, according to Bertagna. Police say one suspect surrendered while the others attempted to escape. A second suspect was tasered. Another suspect was stopped by a police dog. That man was taken away by ambulance.
Police believe at least one of the suspects was armed. It is unclear if any weapons were located.
RELATED: Pedestrian Killed During Santa Ana Pursuit
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