Stolen Vehicle Pursuit in Murrieta Ends in Multi-Vehicle Traffic Collision, 8 Injured

MURRIETA, Calif., Mar. 5 (KNN) — A pursuit of a stolen vehicle came to an end Tuesday morning when the suspect ran a red light, resulting in a multi-vehicle traffic collision with injuries.

The Murrieta Police Department located a stolen vehicle driving near the intersection of Juniper Street and Jefferson Avenue at 10:50 a.m. and attempted to conduct and enforcement stop. As officers approached the vehicle to make contact with the occupants, the driver of the stolen vehicle sped away, according to the Murrieta PD in a press release regarding the incident.

Officers then pursued the vehicle and attempted to conduct another enforcement stop on the vehicle, however, the vehicle sped away again. At that point, a pursuit was initiated which continued on city streets until the suspect vehicle ran a red light at the intersection of Nutmeg Street and Jackson Avenue and collided with three other vehicles.

“The pursuing officers immediately assisted the injured parties and requested Murrieta Fire & Rescue. The driver of the stolen vehicle and his female passenger, along with six other citizens, were subsequently transported to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries,” stated the Murrieta PD.

The collision investigation is being handled by the California Highway Patrol who also responded to the scene of the crash.

Murrieta PD said that the investigation confirmed that the vehicle was stolen and illicit drugs were discovered inside the vehicle. The driver of the stolen vehicle was placed under arrest for multiple felony charges including “evading an officer causing injury”, a “post release community supervision violation”, and “possession of methamphetamine for sale” along with additional pending charges.

Anyone with information related to this traffic collision and who has not yet been contacted by a Murrieta police officer or investigator is encouraged to contact Traffic Bureau Sergeant Steve Whiddon at (951) 461-6323 or email swhiddon@murrietaca.gov.

Eric Lentz, Video Journalist / KNN