Details Emerge After Fatal Crash Investigation

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Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriffs

Sheriff’s officials Wednesday evening released more details about a deadly crash that occurred earlier in the day on Nov. 29.

According to a document from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department investigation, a 22-year-old white male who “resides in the Santa Monica and Venice Beach areas”—unconfirmed reports said he was known to have been living in homeless shelters in those areas—stole a vehicle early Wednesday morning and led sheriff’s deputies on a brief chase that resulted in a deadly crash, as the stolen vehicle struck and killed a pedestrian.

The victim was identified as a 28-year-old male, but his identity had not yet been released by county officials, pending notification to next-of-kin.

According to the report, at around 7:50 a.m. Wednesday, a sheriff’s deputy from the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station was notified of a stolen vehicle in the area, and drove eastbound on PCH from Zuma Beach toward Winding Way West, where the vehicle was located by the deputy.

After locating the vehicle, the deputy called for backup. When “sufficient” backup arrived, deputies attempted a traffic stop, at which time the suspect, driving the vehicle, pulled over to allow a female passenger to exit, before fleeing the scene.

The suspect then fled the scene in the stolen vehicle at a high rate of speed and an approximate 15-20 second pursuit ensued,” the report details. “Due to the high rate of speed and the suspect’s erratic driving, the on scene field supervisor canceled the pursuit just west of Paradise Cove Road.”

Despite the pursuit being cancelled, the suspect continued fleeing up Pacific Coast Highway.

After a few seconds, the suspect lost control of the vehicle, according to the report.

The suspect struck a pedestrian, killing him instantly,” the report states. “The suspect’s vehicle then hit three parked vehicles which led to another vehicle collision with a truck traveling eastbound on Pacific Coast Highway.The driver of the truck was not injured.”

According to various news reports, the multi-vehicle crash caused a small brush fire that was eventually extinguished by Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel.

The sheriff’s report states the female passenger is in law enforcement custody and is cooperating with the investigation.

The crash and the following investigation caused a complete shutdown of Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu throughout the day on Wednesday, backing up traffic in all directions.