BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — At least one minor was killed following a high-speed police pursuit that ended in a crash on Highway 178, according to authorities.
The incident happened Sunday after police spotted a stolen vehicle near Flower Street and King Street in East Bakersfield. Officers attempted a traffic stop, but the driver sped away, prompting a pursuit.
According to the California Highway Patrol and Bakersfield Police, officers stopped following the vehicle once it reached unsafe speeds.
Moments later, the car crashed into a guardrail on Highway 178.
All three minors inside the vehicle were ejected from the car.
According to the family a the 13 year old driver is dead, the passengers 13 and 12 were year old taken to the hospital.
One of them later released.
Bakersfield resident Lino Azevedo, who lives near the crash site, said he felt the impact from inside his home.
“I heard the screen on my door shake really hard,” Azevedo said.
He says crashes like this have become common in the area.
“I’ve only been here six to eight months, and this is already the third one,” he said.
Despite the circumstances, Azevedo says his thoughts are with the teens involved.
“I just hope the kids live, regardless of what they did,” he said. “A car can be replaced, but lives are precious.”
Family friend Kierra Smith, who is unable to walk due to a previous accident, said she was shocked by the news as for her it hits homes.
“I was sad. I was in disbelief,” Smith said. “They’re kids.”
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