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LA PALMA, Calif. (KTLA) – An innocent woman was killed Wednesday afternoon when a driver fleeing from police caused a multi-vehicle crash in Orange County, authorities said.
The pursuit began after officers observed a man “committing theft” in the area of North Gilbert Street and West Malvern Avenue in Fullerton. Police said the man fled in a white Nissan Rogue.
“Officers attempted a traffic stop on the suspect’s vehicle, however the suspect fled and a pursuit began,” the Fullerton Police Department said in a statement.
The suspect, later identified as Anthony Hanzell, 40, of Anaheim, initially attempted to flee near Brookhurst Road and Orangethorpe Avenue when he was involved in a crash that resulted in no injuries. Police announced.
The scene of an accident where an innocent driver was killed during a police pursuit on December 18, 2024 in La Palma, California. (OnScene.TV) Security video shows the impact when the fleeing driver crashes into a vehicle at an intersection in La Palma. December 18, 2024. (Viewer footage) The scene of an accident after a high-speed chase in Orange County. December 18, 2024. (OnScene.TV)
The pursuit continued to the westbound 91 Freeway, where the suspect exited the vehicle at Knott Avenue and the officer lost sight of the vehicle.
La Palma police spotted the driver near La Palma Avenue and Walker Street and began a pursuit. Shortly after, at around 12:50 p.m., the fleeing driver ran a red light at the intersection of La Palma Avenue and Moody Street, crashing into a blue BMW.
Lauren Lau, who sustained minor injuries in her car, said: “I was at an intersection with a red light and I saw a police pursuit going on, and then a car came straight at me from the opposite direction.” Lauren Lau, whose car sustained minor damage, told OnScene.TV photojournalist. “There was a complete T-bone. Those two cars hit me and then went sideways.”
A nearby security camera recorded the moment of the collision.
According to police, a woman in her 60s who was driving the BMW suffered serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Her name was not immediately released.
Hansel was injured and taken to a local hospital. Fullerton police said the suspect will be arraigned on charges including petty theft, hit-and-run and felony fleeing.
KTLA’s Jacqueline Sarkisian in La Palma contributed to this report.
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