SUSPECT WITH DEAD BODY IN BACKSEAT DIES AFTER POLICE CHASE, CRASH IN EL CAJON

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By Miriam Raftery

May 14, 2016 (El Cajon) – The driver of a red Mazda truck is dead after fleeing from police and crashing into a tree shortly after midnight in El Cajon.  Officers attempting to render aid to the driver made a grisly discovery – a dead female in the backseat. Arriving paramedics reported that they believe the female was deceased before the collision and that her death was suspicious, said Lieutenant Rob Rainsweiler.

The bizarre incident began late last night at 11:47 p.m. when El Cajon Police officers responded to a call reporting a disturbance at a home.  They arrived as the suspect was driving away. He failed to yield when officers tried to stop his vehicle and instead, ran a light.  Officers then terminated the pursuit and broadcast the vehicle description to surrounding agencies.

At 12:03 a.m. a Santee Sheriff’s Deputy who heard the broadcast spotted the vehicle in Santee and followed it south toward El Cajon.  When the suspect ran a light, the deputy attempted an enforcement stop.

The suspect failed to yield, so the deputy pursued the suspect on Cuyamaca to eastbound Fletcher Parkway, which turns into Broadway.  In the 600 block of Broadway, the suspect lost control of his vehicle and struck a tree in the center median. 

 The suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene. El Cajon Police Department Traffic Division is investigating the collision scene along with the Sheriff’s Department.  The ECPD Investigations Division is investigating the suspicious death of the female passenger. 

The identities of the deceased driver and passenger have not been confirmed at this time.  The El Cajon Police Department would like to ask that anyone with information regarding this case please contact us at 619-579-3311.


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