Man Who Fled From LB Killed In Crash

A man was killed Sunday night when the stolen car in which he was a passenger went off Pacific Coast Highway rolled down an embankment and flipped at the end of a Long Beach police pursuit, a police official said.

The pursuit began at about 7 p.m. when patrol officers observed the vehicle reported stolen out of Long Beach at Pacific Coast Highway and Magnolia Avenue, said Long Beach spokeswoman Nancy Pratt.

"Officers attempted to conduct a felony traffic stop, however the driver refused to pull over, fled from officers westbound on PCH, and a pursuit was initiated," Pratt said.

"The driver of the suspect vehicle attempted to get onto the southbound Terminal Island (103) Freeway, appeared to lose control and drove off the roadway and down the embankment," she said.

"The vehicle flipped before coming to rest and a passenger within the vehicle was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver fled the vehicle on foot and was taken into custody a short distance away," Pratt said.

The driver and passenger were both males and appear to be adults, she said. They were the only occupants of the vehicle.

Anyone with information was asked to contact Detective Brian Watt at (562) 570-7355.  Anonymous tips can be called into 800-222-TIPS or left online at www.lacrimestoppers.com.

-- City News Service