December 25, 2024 at 3:00 a.m. Pacific Time
A man who led local authorities on a chase through Fullerton, Buena Park and La Palma Island last week stole Lego from a Fullerton grocery store and then tried to flee, prosecutors said this week.
During the chase, the suspect allegedly ran a red light on La Palma and struck a 67-year-old driver, killing him.
Anthony Michael Hanzal, 43, of Anaheim, was charged with three felonies: vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, petty theft, and eluding a security guard resulting in death. He was reportedly under the influence of drugs at the time of the incident, according to a statement from the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors said Hanzal is a second striker, someone who has two “strikes” from a felony or violent felony under California’s three-strike law. A previous strike could result in an enhanced sentence for a second felony, and a third strike could result in a sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
On Dec. 18, a plainclothes officer in Fullerton said he saw Hanzal stuff a box of Legos into a bag at a Fullerton Albertsons and leave without paying. The officer called for a marked police vehicle to stop, but Hanzal sped away, the statement said.
Hanzal allegedly rear-ended someone at a red light before getting onto the westbound 91 Freeway bound for Buena Park. Police pursued Hanzal to La Palma, where he reached speeds of 90 mph on La Palma Street, prosecutors said. Hanzal ran a red light at the intersection of La Palma Avenue and Moody Avenue and crashed into the driver’s side of 67-year-old Marianne Casey’s car. The impact killed her instantly, according to the release. The collision caused both cars to strike the other driver, injuring other bystanders.
Video of the crash obtained by ABC 7 shows a white Nissan Rogue SUV run a red light and collide with the victim’s blue BMW. After the collision, another SUV waiting at a traffic light on the opposite side was pushed onto the sidewalk.
Hanzal, who is currently being held without bail and could face up to 26 years and four months in prison if convicted on all charges, is scheduled to be arraigned in Fullerton on January 6. It is planned that
Hanzal could not be reached for comment.
“Enough is enough. Actions have consequences. Drug-addicted repeat offender steals Legos from a grocery store and leads multiple law enforcement agencies on a high-speed chase through Orange County in broad daylight that leaves an elderly woman dead. , Orange County District. Todd Spitzer said in a release.
