Fullerton Police: Woman Dies After Theft Suspect Strikes Her Vehicle During Pursuit
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. — An Orange County man initially accused of theft is set to face multiple charges after allegedly colliding with another driver while fleeing from law enforcement, resulting in the other driver’s death.
According to a press release by the Fullerton Police Department, a detective witnessed a man committing theft in the area of North Gilbert Street and West Malvern Avenue before leaving the area in a white Nissan Rogue. Police attempted to stop the individual, who reportedly fled, initiating a pursuit.
At one point during the pursuit, the suspect was involved in a “non-injury hit-and-run collision” near Brookhurst Road and Orangethorpe Avenue. Police briefly lost sight of the vehicle when it exited at Knott Avenue. Police in neighboring Buena Park briefly located the vehicle but ultimately lost sight of it as well.
Soon afterward, police in La Palma located the vehicle and pursued it to the area of La Palma Avenue and Moody Street, where the driver reportedly crashed into a blue BMW that was not involved in the pursuit. The collision disabled the suspect’s vehicle, and the pursuit ended there, police said.
The driver of the BMW, a woman in her 60s, sustained significant injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The driver of the suspect vehicle, whom authorities identified as 43-year-old Anthony Hanzal of Anaheim, was also injured in the collision and transported to an area medical center.
Upon release, Hanzal is expected to be booked on suspicion of hit-and-run, felony evading, and petty theft.
Police say the Orange County Sheriff’s Department has taken up the investigation into the fatal collision, and additional charges may follow.