LA PALMA, Calif. (KTLA) – An innocent woman died when a driver fleeing police caused a multi-vehicle pileup in Orange County on Wednesday afternoon, officials said.
The chase began when officers observed a man “committing a theft” in the area of North Gilbert Street and West Malvern Avenue in Fullerton. According to police, he drove away in a white Nissan Rogue.
“Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle. The suspect fled, initiating a pursuit,” the Fullerton Police Department said in a statement.
The suspect, later identified as Anthony Hanzel, 40, of Anaheim, was first involved in a non-injury collision near Brookhurst Road and Orangethorpe Avenue as he attempted to get away, police said.
The scene of a crash during a police pursuit that killed an innocent driver in La Palma, Calif. on Dec. 18, 2024. (OnScene.TV) 
Security video shows the impact when a fleeing driver hit a vehicle at an intersection in La Palma on Dec. 18, 2024. (viewer footage) 
The scene of the crash following a high-speed chase in Orange County. Dec. 18, 2024. (OnScene.TV)
The chase continued onto the westbound 91 Freeway until the suspect exited at Knott Avenue, and officers lost track of the vehicle.
La Palma police picked up the chase after spotting the driver in the area of La Palma Avenue and Walker Street. Moments later, at about 12:50 p.m., the fleeing driver sped through a red light at the intersection of La Palma Avenue and Moody Street, striking a blue BMW.
“I was at the intersection at a red light, and I saw a police chase happening and the cars came straight at me going the other way,” Lauren Lau, whose car sustained minor damage, told a photojournalist with OnScene.TV. “There was a complete T-bone. Those two cars hit me and then swerved off to the side.”
A nearby security camera recorded the moment of impact.
Police said the driver of the BMW, a woman in her 60s, suffered significant injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Her name was not immediately released.
Hanzel was transported to a local hospital with injuries. He will be booked on charges including petty theft, hit-and-run, and felony evading, Fullerton police said.
KTLA’s Jacqueline Sarkissian in La Palma contributed to this report.
