An afternoon pursuit of a theft suspect concluded tragically in Orange County on Wednesday, when a suspect's vehicle collided with a BMW, killing an innocent woman in her 60s. The Fullerton Police Department began the chase after a man was observed "committing a theft" in Fullerton, as KTLA reports. The suspect, identified as 43-year-old Anthony Hanzel of Anaheim, fled the scene in a white Nissan Rogue and refused to halt for the officers.
Following a non-injury collision near Brookhurst Road and Orangethorpe Avenue, Hanzel's evasion strategy proved to be fatally flawed as he continued onto the westbound 91 Freeway. He was later forcibly brought to a stop when he sped through the intersection of La Palma Avenue and Moody Street, where he crashed into a blue BMW, according to ABC7. The driver of the blue BMW, a woman in her 60s, sustained serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.
The Orange County Sheriff's Department investigators are also examining the case, which could lead to additional charges, police said, as per CBS News Los Angeles.
