Los Angeles: On Monday, July 8, 2002, at approximately 8:40 p.m., a fatal traffic collision occurred on 4^th Street just west of Soto Street in the City of Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Police officers assigned to Hollenbeck Division were in the area of Lorena Street and Whittier Boulevard when they observed Robert Chavez, a 19-year old resident of Los Angeles, driving a green 1993 Jeep Cherokee that had been reported stolen from the City of Glendale. The officers followed the vehicle westbound on to the 60 Freeway and then northbound on the 5 freeway when they attempted to pull the suspect’s vehicle over by activating their emergency lights. The suspect refused to yield and the officers then initiated a vehicle pursuit. The officers continued to pursue Chavez as he exited the freeway at 4^th Street where he attempted to lose the officers by accelerating to a high rate of speed.

Chavez still attempting to evade the officers, traveled eastbound on 4^th Street and collided with a blue 1989 Honda Prelude that was driven by an 80-year old male Asian, who was attempting to negotiate a left turn from a private parking lot. This collision resulted in the death of the Asian driver whose identity has been withheld pending notification of his next of kin.

Chavez was ultimately determined to be under the influence of an intoxicant and was subsequently booked for second-degree murder.

Central Traffic Detectives are conducting this investigation. For further information contact Detective Michael Kaden or Officer Cortez at 213-485-3111.

This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Jason Lee, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.