Man Pleads No Contest In South Bay Crash That Killed Driver

PALOS VERDES, CA – A 24-year-old man who was out on bail in a stolen vehicle case when he led police on a chase that ended with a crash in Torrance that left a man dead was sentenced to 26 years in state prison.

Zachary Thomas Alexander, of San Pedro, was sentenced immediately after pleading no contest to one count each of fleeing a pursuing peace officer's motor vehicle causing death and driving or taking a vehicle without consent after a prior conviction, three counts of grand theft auto with priors and four counts of receiving stolen property.

A murder charge against him was dismissed, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

Torrance police began pursuing the stolen Toyota Camry after spotting the sedan pulling into a gas station at the intersection of Sepulveda Boulevard and Maple Avenue on Feb. 20, 2017.

The chase ended when the Toyota struck Chunlei Wang's vehicle at the intersection of Maple Avenue and Carson Street.

The 56-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene, and Alexander and his passenger were taken to an area hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Prior to the chase, Alexander had stolen two vehicles in January and February 2017, according to the District Attorney's Office.

City News Service contributed to this post