On Saturday, April 6, at 5:03 a.m., a uniformed patrol officer was driving a marked police vehicle in the area of Richards Boulevard and Interstate 5. While in the area, the officer observed a driver of a vehicle speeding westbound on Richards Boulevard and make erratic lane changes. The officer attempted to catch up to the vehicle to conduct an enforcement stop.
The driver approached the freeway and traveled northbound on Interstate 5. The officer activated the police vehicle’s emergency lights and sirens as the driver of the vehicle continued to speed away. The officer engaged in a vehicle pursuit of the fleeing vehicle.
During the pursuit, the officer was able to get close enough to read the license plate of the fleeing vehicle. A computer check on the license plate showed the fleeing vehicle to be a reported stolen Toyota Camry. Additional officers responded to assist with the vehicle pursuit. All officers involved in this vehicle pursuit were from the Sacramento Police Department, wearing full police uniforms and driving marked police vehicles.
The vehicle pursuit traveled through Interstate 5, Interstate 80 and multiple surface streets. At approximately 5:13 a.m., as the fleeing vehicle traveled northbound on Northgate Boulevard over the Interstate 80 overpass, the officers lost sight of the vehicle. The officers regained sight of the vehicle on the side of the roadway near Northgate Boulevard and Tandy Drive. The vehicle had significant damage, collided into a pole and came to rest.
The officers parked a safe distance away and made announcements to any potential occupants inside the vehicle. There was no response. Officers safely approached the vehicle and observed a female adult in the driver’s seat. The female was unresponsive and trapped inside the vehicle. Officers requested the fire department respond to the scene.
Fire personnel responded, extricated the female from the vehicle and pronounced her deceased on scene. Patrol officers conducted an initial canvas of the area for witnesses and evidence. During the preliminary investigation, officers determined that the fleeing vehicle traveled off the roadway and collided into a light pole.
Due to the severity of this incident, the Department’s Major Collision Investigation Unit (MCIU) responded to the scene to take over the traffic investigation. Detectives checked the area for additional evidence and witnesses. The investigation remains active.
The identity of the driver will be released by the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office once next of kin has been notified.
The Sacramento Police Department encourages any witnesses with information regarding this incident to contact the dispatch center at (916) 808-5471 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at (916) 443-HELP (4357). Witnesses may also submit an anonymous tip using the free “P3 Tips” smartphone app. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000.
