Innocent driver killed in fiery crash at end of pursuit in Fairfax District

LOS ANGELES - A family is in mourning after their loved one was killed when a pursuit came to a fiery end in the Fairfax District near The Grove late Tuesday night, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said.

The victim was identified by family members as 37-year-old Jeeves Tangonan. 

Authorities said a chase ensued after a man accused of assaulting a deputy with a deadly weapon did not want to stop when deputies attempted to pull him over. 

The suspect was driving a silver car when he plowed into a blue Toyota RAV4, allegedly driven by Tangonan on the intersection of Third Street and Fairfax Avenue. The suspect’s vehicle immediately caught on fire upon impact. 

Tangonan’s vehicle was stuck in between a tree and the wall of a Citi Bank. Firefighters attempted to pull him out of the vehicle through the passenger side and again through the roof. Officials said he was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Firefighters were able to rescue the suspect from the flames before he was taken into custody. Sheriff Villanueva said the suspect was booked on suspicion of "a host of different charges,'' including vehicular manslaughter and assault with a deadly weapon against a police officer.

Video at the scene shows authorities placed a spit guard on the suspect. His name has not been released by officials. 

The deputy who was involved in the initial traffic stop was taken to a hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, as was the suspect, the sheriff's department reported.

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