Innocent Woman Killed In U-Haul Chase ID'd In San Clemente

SAN CLEMENTE, CA — Police continued the investigation Tuesday of a suspect who crashed a stolen U-Haul Van into an SUV in San Clemente, killing its driver and injuring others.

Deputies tried to stop the U-Haul, which did not have license plates, just before 8 a.m. Monday, the Orange County Sheriff's Department reported.

During a short pursuit, the suspect crashed into an SUV near the intersection of South Ola Vista and Avenida Granada, authorities said.

"The pursuit was super short, about a block and less than a minute," OCSD Sgt. Gerard McCann said.

The van slammed into a Mazda SUV, killing 53-year-old Maria Ramirezahmad, 53, of Anaheim. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Three women passengers in the SUV were taken to a hospital in critical condition, McCann said.

The suspect, Mathew Alexander Ronquillo, 39, of Cerritos, ran from deputies. A short time later, sheriff's dispatch was notified that he was running across Interstate 5, authorities said.

The Orange County Sheriff's Department helicopter Duke located Ronquillo and directed deputies to his location. Ronquillo attempted to continue to run from deputies. A sheriff's dog was used to apprehend Ronquillo, authorities said.

Ronquillo was treated at a hospital and booked at the Orange County Jail for felony evasion, felony evasion causing great bodily injury or death, felony hit and run, gross vehicular manslaughter, and possession of a stolen vehicle., authorities said

The passenger in the stolen U-Haul, Gregorio Horacio Trejochavez, 56, of La Habra remained at the scene and was taken into custody. He was treated at a hospital and later booked at the Orange County Jail for a probation violation.

The California Highway Patrol Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team is investigating the collision.

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to call the Orange County Sheriff's Department at 714-647-7000. Anonymous tips can be sent to OC Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at ocsheriff.gov/occrimestoppers.

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