1 dead, 1 arrested in Newport Beach crash following pursuit of possible stolen car
By JOSH CAIN | jcain@scng.com and ERIC LICAS | elicas@scng.com | Los Angeles Daily News
A 42-year-old Compton resident died and a driver was arrested after their vehicle crashed in Newport Beach following a high-speed police pursuit that started in Huntington Beach, authorities said.
The Honda Accord rolled over onto its roof in the 3000 block of Pacific Coast Highway on Sunday morning, Sept. 19. Ramiro Benitez was the passenger who died, Orange County Deputy Coroner Kelly Keyes said.
Police believe the vehicle was stolen in Modesto, said Lt. Ryan Peters of the Newport Beach Police Department.
Officers attempted to stop the Honda near Goldenwest Street and Ellis Avenue at about 5:35 a.m. But the motorist fled south on Goldenwest, then east on Pacific Coast Highway, police said, going as fast as 100 mph after passing through downtown Huntington Beach.
