BULLHEAD CITY, Ariz. – A vehicle stolen overnight in Kingman ended up in an early morning deadly collision in Bullhead City. The Kingman Police Department (KPD) said its owners were unaware their 2013 Hyundai Elantra had been stolen from the 3500 block of N. Bond Street until contacted by authorities.
KPD Support Services Administrator Jennifer Sochoki said the Bullhead City Police Department (BHCPD) called about 4:20 a.m. on Sept. 14, asking about the Hyundai that was involved in a fatal traffic incident. Sochoki said the KPD contacted the owners who did not know their vehicle had been swiped in the night.
BHCPD public information officer Emily Fromelt said the Hyundai was involved in separate police pursuits, the first of which was terminated due to public safety danger. The second chase began in the vicinity of Landon Drive on the Bullhead Parkway.
“The pursuit continued for a few minutes, where the suspect vehicle went into oncoming lanes and struck an approaching vehicle, causing both vehicles to become disabled,” said BHCPD Chief Paul George. “Our officers immediately rendered aid to the innocent driver, who was later pronounced dead at the hospital.”
The four juveniles and an 18-year-old in the stolen vehicle were transported to a hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Sochoki said all five subjects were known by the KPD, four of them for “similar involvements.”
The names of all involved parties are initially withheld. The Arizona Department of Public Safety is conducting an independent investigation.
