Ex-Con Who Led Police on Fatal High Speed Chase Awaits Arraignment

A 33-year-old ex-con accused of leading police on a chase that ended when the stolen truck he was driving crashed into a car, killing the driver, remains jailed today while awaiting arraignment Aug. 23 on murder and six other felony charges.

Brian Vance Coleman -- described by police as a transient -- was arrested a short distance away from the crash that killed Jesus Bugarin- Mercado, 54, of Pomona, shortly after 5:45 p.m. Sunday.

Police said Coleman ran a red light at Towne and La Verne avenues in Pomona and broadsided Bugarin-Mercado's sedan in the intersection.

The silver pickup truck that Coleman was driving had been reported stolen in Rancho Cucamonga about 4 a.m. Sunday and was later spotted by a Claremont police officer who tried to pull him over near Towne Avenue and Arrow Highway, according to police.

Along with murder, Coleman is charged with one count each of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, DUI causing injury, evading an officer causing death, leaving the scene of an accident, unlawful driving or taking of a vehicle with a prior and receiving stolen property with a prior.

Claremont police -- who were involved in the chase -- said it was not the first time Coleman had allegedly fled from police in a stolen vehicle.

He was arrested by the California Highway Patrol in March 2005 following a pursuit that culminated in a crash in Fontana, in which the vehicle he was driving overturned, according to a statement issued by Claremont police.

Coleman was convicted in May 2005 in San Bernardino County of unlawful driving or taking of a vehicle, according to the newest criminal complaint, which also alleges that he has three other convictions dating back to 1997.