Elderly driver killed by 17-year-old fleeing police
By SDCN Editor
Escondido, CA–A 60-year-old Encinitas man was killed late Friday night when his car was rear-ended by a vehicle driven by a 17-year-old boy who was fleeing police, authorities said.
Escondido police suspected the teen was leaving a large party a few minutes before the crash. Officers reported that a white Dodge Charger nearly collided head-on with them as they responded to complaints about the party in a neighborhood north of Kit Carson Park around 10:45 p.m. A few minutes later, another officer spotted the Charger traveling at a high rate of speed south on Via Ranch Parkway toward Interstate 15. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle, but it ran a red light and accelerated to over 100 mph moments before the crash, which occurred on Via Rancho Parkway near Lomas Serenas Drive.
Firefighters had to extricate the victim from the wreckage. He was taken to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later. His identity is being withheld pending notification of family.
The 17-year-old suspect, an Escondido resident, fled the scene on foot but was taken into custody a short distance away. He was arrested and transported to an area hospital for treatment of minor injuries. He faces charges of vehicle homicide, felony evading police, and driving under the influence, the Escondido Police Department stated in a news release.
Officers are conducting an investigation into the party to identify the host, and whether that person bears any criminal culpability for providing alcohol to the 17-year-old suspect.
Excessive speed and alcohol were factors in the crash, authorities said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Martinez at (760) 839-4465.
