A suspect crashed a stolen U-Haul van an into an SUV Monday in San Clemente, killing its driver.
Deputies attempted to stop the U-Haul, which did not have license plates, just before 8 a.m. Monday, and during a short pursuit, the fleeing suspect crashed into an SUV near the intersection of South Ola Vista and Avenida Granada, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
“The pursuit was super short, about a block and less than a minute,” according to Orange County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Gerard McCann.
The van slammed into the Mazda SUV, killing Maria Ramirezahmad, 53, of Anaheim, authorities said. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Three women passengers in the SUV were taken to a hospital in critical condition, McCann said.
The suspect, Mathew Alexander Ronquillo, 39, of Cerritos, ran from deputies. A short time later, sheriff’s dispatch was notified that he was running across Interstate 5, authorities said.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department helicopter Duke located Ronquillo and directed deputies to his location. Ronquillo attempted to continue to run from deputies. A sheriff’s dog was used to apprehend Ronquillo, authorities said.
Ronquillo was treated at a hospital and booked at the Orange County Jail for felony evasion, felony evasion causing great bodily injury or death, felony hit and run, gross vehicular manslaughter, and possession of a stolen vehicle., authorities said
The passenger in the stolen U-Haul, Gregorio Horacio Trejochavez, 56, of La Habra remained at the scene and was taken into custody. He was treated at a hospital and later booked at the Orange County Jail for a probation violation.
The California Highway Patrol Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team is investigating the collision.
Anyone with additional information is encouraged to call the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at 714-647-7000. Anonymous tips can be sent to OC Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at ocsheriff.gov/occrimestoppers.