Innocent driver killed in crash as suspect flees from police attempting traffic stop in Westminster
An innocent driver was killed after someone fled from police attempting to conduct a traffic stop in Westminster Friday morning.
According to Orange County Sheriff's Department, the incident began at around 10 a.m., when deputies attempted to pull over a black Chevrolet Camaro near Newland Street and Westminster Avenue, after their scanner revealed it had fraudulent registration tags.
The driver, however, failed to yield and ran a red light at the intersection of Newland St. and Trask Avenue as they fled from the deputies, crashing into a black BMW just outside of the Newland Garden Apartments.
The two occupants of the BMW were taken to a local hospital where the driver of the BMW, a 64-year-old man, died. The passenger, a 54-year-old man, is said to be in critical but stable condition, according to deputies.
Authorities identified the victim on Saturday as Stanton resident Edmundo L. Hernandez.
After the crash, the suspect fled from the vehicle on foot and was taken into custody after an hours-long search, which also included units from Westminster and Garden Grove Police Departments.
As a result of the search for the suspect, several schools in the area were forced to shelter in place.
Deputies claim that the incident was never a pursuit, as it happened so quickly and within one square block.
A resident living at the apartment complex said that he could feel the impact of the crash from his apartment.
"It felt like it was, like, four or five cars that collided," said Tony Dang. "It was shocking."
CBS reporters spoke to the driver of the vehicle just behind the victim's at the moment of the crash.
"It happened instantly," he said, noting that he "emotional" after realizing he was just about five seconds away from being in the same scenario. "I saw the guy get out the car, they started chasing him. I just went to park and come and check on the people."
The suspect has not yet been named.
"It's an unfortunate circumstance, especially here at the holiday season," said OCSD Sergeant Mike Woodruff. "You have families that are gonna be forever living with this memory of this incident, especially with the loss of the driver and then the other male passenger that is now in the hospital because of it."
