Cristina David Death – On Saturday afternoon, a woman was killed when her Tesla was hit by a stolen vehicle suspect, resulting in a police pursuit in Winnetka.
The collision occurred around 1:40 p.m. near the 20500 block of W. Saticoy Street, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
According to officers, the pursuit began around Corwin Street and Vanowen Street, with the driver of an allegedly stolen Mercedes-Benz. They were about to pull stop the car when things quickly escalated.
“They waited for backup and our airship to come and support them in that traffic stop, but suddenly that Mercedes took off at a high rate of speed,” said to LAPD Detective Meghan Aguilar.
About a minute after the chase began, the suspect drove into a Tesla, which then collided with two other uninvolved vehicles at the intersection of Saticoy and Mason Avenue.
Cristina David, 46, of West Hills, was pronounced dead at the scene after driving the Tesla, according to the Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner. Three additional people sustained minor injuries.
At the scene, police detained the suspect, a 40-year-old guy. They were sent to a neighboring hospital for minor injuries sustained in the incident. According to witnesses, he attempted to flee but was apprehended shortly afterwards. On Monday, authorities recognized him as Kevin Joseph Larrea, 42. He was charged with murder and remains in jail without bail.