A tragic car chase in Orange, California, ended with the death of a 15-year-old girl, authorities confirmed. The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) announced that the young passenger, critically injured in a high speed collision earlier this month, died from her injuries.
The incident, which took place on March 8, 2024, began when a suspect in a stolen vehicle was pursued by the Orange Police Department. The chase reached a deadly climax around 1:38 a.m. on the crossroads of 7th Street and Orange Avenue, when the suspect crashed into an oncoming car and then slammed into five parked vehicles before coming to a stop. In a statement obtained by the Long Beach Police Department's press release, the driver of the hot-wired car took off on foot, abandoning the vehicle and its injured occupant.
The name of the deceased teenager has not been released, as she was a minor. The driver of the vehicle hit during this tragic pursuit sustained only minor injuries and received treatment at the scene courtesy of the Long Beach Fire personnel. The LBPD followed up with news that the girl succumbed to her devastating injuries five days later on March 13th.
Currently, the disastrous chase and collision are under investigation by the Orange Police Department, searching for answers and seeking justice for the senseless loss of young life. The LBPD has yet to provide information on whether the suspect has been identified or apprehended following the harrowing episode that has now claimed an innocent victim. As the investigation continues, the communities of Long Beach and Orange are left to mourn and grapple with a the reality of a tragedy that perhaps was avoidable.
