Fontana police chase ends in crash; 3 teens killed
FONTANA, Calif. - Three teenagers were killed, and three others, including two police officers, were seriously injured after a short police chase through Fontana Saturday night.
The chase started just before 11 p.m. Saturday, according to the Fontana Police Department, near the intersection of Valley Boulevard and Cypress Avenue.
Officers said they tried to pull over a Nissan Sentra for code violations, but the driver refused to pull over and sped off. Officers chased after the car. The ensuing police chase lasted less than 30 seconds, police said, but reached speeds upwards of 100 mph.
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It came to an end when the driver of the Nissan lost control and collided with another police car jumping in to help with the chase. Both the Nissan and the police vehicle were severely damaged.
Paramedics came to the scene. Robert Rias, 15, and Domonic Adams Jr., 14, were pronounced dead at the scene. A third teen from the car, identified as 15-year-old Omar Pitts, died from his injuries at the hospital.
The suspected driver remained hospitalized Monday in critical condition, and police have not yet identified them.
Two officers in the cruiser were also seriously injured in the crash. They were both brought to the hospital. One was released on Monday, Fontana PD said. The second was still in the hospital Monday and awaiting surgery.
The San Bernardino Sheriff Major Accident Investigation Team is investigating the crash.