2 killed after pursuit ends in violent crash in Northridge parking lot

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. (FOX 11) - Two people were killed and one person was injured early Friday morning in a multiple vehicle collision in Northridge after a California Highway Patrol officer called off a pursuit, authorities said.

A CHP officer began pursuing a suspect who fled during a traffic stop for a fraudulent registration, which made the officer suspect the 1997 Toyota Paseo was stolen. That happened at 1:08 a.m. at Reseda Boulevard and Chatsworth St. in Porter Ranch, CHP Officer Tony Polizzi said.

The driver, identified only as a 24-year-old man, drove south on Reseda Boulevard at high speeds and ran at least two red lights, CHP Officer Weston Haver said. The officer broke off the pursuit but followed behind, he said.

The officer came upon the crash scene south of Devonshire, where it appeared the driver of the Paseo lost control and crashed into two vehicles parked in a CVS Pharmacy parking lot, Haver said.

The Paseo driver was ejected from the car and died at the scene from his injuries, the officer said.

A woman believed about 50-years-old who was inside a Toyota RAV4 was taken to Dignity Health-Northridge Hospital Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead, he said.

The Paseo passenger was taken to Northridge Hospital with injures that were considered life-threatening, Haver said.

CNS contributed to this report