Woman killed in crash

Jen Lawson

Thursday, Sept. 25, 2003 | 11:27 a.m.

A teenage driver who was being chased by a Metro Police officer this morning crashed into a woman's car at Alta Drive and Jones Boulevard, killing her.

The boy, whom police said is between the ages of 15 and 17, was arrested at the scene of the crash, Capt. Rick Bilyeu of Metro's transportation safety bureau said. The teen's name wasn't released.

The victim appeared to be in her 40s or 50s, Bilyeu said. She was alone in the car and died on impact.

Officer Jose Montoya, spokesman for Metro, said about 6:30 a.m. the teen was spotted trying to steal property from a vehicle at the Alpine Village Apartments on Brush Street between Alta Drive and Charleston Boulevard.

When several people came outside and spotted the teen, he jumped in his car and fled. Someone flagged down a police officer and reported what had happened.

"While the witnesses were talking to police, the suspect drove by and they said, 'Here, he goes now,' or something to that effect," Bilyeu said.

The officer started after the teen's older model maroon Toyota Camry. After a chase lasting just minutes and spanning about three miles, the teen, who was heading west on Alta, slammed the front of his car into the passenger side of a small white car traveling north on Jones Boulevard.

The victim was traveling through the intersection on a green light and the suspect ran a red light, Bilyeu said. Because of the damage to the white car, police at the scene weren't yet certain of its make and model.

The teen will likely be charged with felony evasion of a police officer, felony reckless driving and possibly manslaughter, Bilyeu said.

In March, Metro revised the department's pursuit policy, calling for ways to avoid crashes by using helicopters, having officers back off and requiring supervisors to continually evaluate the need for the chase.

This is the first pursuit-related fatility this year. Last year, Metro recorded 240 pursuits, 45 crashes and one fatality.