Authorities revealed the driver behind the police chase last week in Los Angeles was high on heroin and fentanyl. The police chase led to a collision in the San Fernando Valley, killing two people, as The Sand Diego Union-Tribune reported.
Los Angeles Police Department said the chase began when officers located a stolen vehicle, a pickup truck, driving in Pacoima at around 7:45 p.m. on January 31. As the officers prepared to conduct a traffic stop, the pickup driver suddenly sped away, ensuing a four-minute police pursuit. The driver failed to stop at a red traffic light at Lanark Street and Woodman Avenue intersection, then it suddenly crashed into a sedan. A passenger and the driver died immediately after sustaining major injuries, while another passenger sustained minor injuries.
LAPD further stated that the suspect driver attempted to escape the scene, fleeing on foot. Officers chased him on foot, and he was taken into custody after a minor use of force.
Fox News reported the identity of the suspect driver as Oscar De La Cruz; he has an extensive criminal history and was revealed to be on parole. De La Cruz confessed to ingesting fentanyl and injecting heroin. The officers later administered three doses of Narcan to aid his recovery.
De La Cruz is facing charges of two counts of Vehicular Manslaughter, one count for Fleeing a Pursuing Peace Officer’s Motor Vehicle Causing Death, one count for Felony Hit and Run, and one count for Driving without the Owners Consent. The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office also revealed that De La Cruz has a No Bail Warrant for a Parole Violation.