Pursuit in Devonshire Turns Fatal

April 16, 2001

 
Devonshire – On April 15, 2001, at approximately 6:40 p.m., Devonshire Area officers received a radio call to respond to the 19000 block of Parthenia Street for a possible stolen vehicle, a 2001 Toyota Tundra Pick-up. While the officers were driving in the area of Parthenia Street and Vanalden Avenue, they observed a pick-up matching the description of the stolen vehicle traveling eastbound with several occupants riding in the vehicle. The officers negotiated a U-turn and began to follow the pick-up. A Department of Motor Vehicle check was conducted, which revealed the pick-up was a West Valley Division stolen as of April 15, 2001. The officers then requested back up and attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver of the vehicle failed to yield. The officers then engaged in a pursuit. Once they approached Parthenia Street and Langdon Avenue, the driver of the pick-up attempted to exit the vehicle while traveling at approximately 35 mph. As he exited the vehicle, the driver stumbled and was run over by the vehicle’s left rear tire. The pick-up then collided with a second vehicle stopped in the westbound left turn lane, a third vehicle traveling eastbound, and a parked vehicle on Parthenia Street.
The driver of the pick-up sustained massive head trauma as a result of being run over by the vehicle he was operating. The driver (Fernando Ibarra, male, Hispanic, 15 years old) was transported to Mission Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The other three occupants of the pick-up were treated at local hospitals for minor injuries. After being released from the hospital, the minors were transported to Devonshire Police Station and interviewed. The three minors, two females and one male Hispanics, were released to their parents.
The investigation is being handled by Valley Traffic Division Detectives. For further information contact Valley Traffic Division at 818-756-8737.
This press release was prepared by Officer La Donna Cissell, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.