Car Bursts Into Flames Mid-Chase, Driver Found Dead In OC

COSTA MESA, CA — A police pursuit through Garden Grove ended Thursday in Costa Mesa when Costa Mesa Police Department officers found the driver dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Garden Grove Police Department officers were in the area of Harbor Boulevard and Westminster Avenue in Garden Grove at approximately 4:25 p.m. when they tried to conducted a traffic stop of a brown pickup truck, said Sgt. Nick Jensen of the Garden Grove Police Department.

The driver initially appeared to pull over before he quickly accelerated and a pursuit began. The chase traversed multiple cities, at which time officers observed that the driver was armed with a firearm, Jensen said.

Officers eventually stopped the pursuit when the suspect's driving became reckless and posed a danger to public safety, police said.

A police helicopter continued monitoring the driver and noticed the suspect's vehicle enter the intersection of Victoria Street and Placentia Avenue in Costa Mesa, where the suspect's truck collided with another vehicle. Costa Mesa Police Department officers arrived at the scene and heard gunshots inside vehicle near the intersection.

The truck remained in drive, causing the tires to remain in motion, Jensen said. The tires eventually became deteriorated to the point where they sparked a fire and the truck burst into flames. Costa Mesa Fire Department firefighters arrived and extinguished the fire, but the driver was found dead, Jensen said.

A firearm was located in the truck.

Anyone with information about the collision was asked to call Detective Steve Estlow at 714-741-5830.