Man dies from injuries after crashing during Santa Ana police pursuit

A 34-year-old man died Sunday from injuries he sustained in a crash during a police pursuit in Santa Ana, officials said Monday, Jan. 15.

The man, whose identity was not immediately released, was believed to be in possession of a motorcycle stolen out of Fountain Valley. On Jan. 9, the victim tracked their motorcycle to Santa Ana and notified police, leading to a pursuit after police initiated a vehicle stop at Centennial Park. The pursuit ended around 1:30 p.m. when the suspect crashed into a car on the 900 block of West Edinger Avenue, near Flower Street, Officer Natalie Garcia said.

Both the male suspect and his female passenger were injured from the crash, as well as the other driver, who was inside the car when the collision occurred. The driver was treated at the scene by Orange County Fire Authority personnel, Garcia said.

The suspect died at a hospital, where he was being treated after the crash, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement Monday. The identity and condition of the female passenger were not released.

The death is considered an in-custody death and will be investigated by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. The Sheriff’s Department will also review the death, the agency said.