A suspected drunk driver was killed and five people were injured Sunday after a vehicle pursuit with the California Highway Patrol ended in a crash involving at least two other cars, authorities said.
The initial call at 12:06 a.m. Sunday was of a possible DUI driver on the northbound 110 Freeway approaching Fair Oaks Avenue in South Pasadena, the CHP reported.
The crash occurred at about 12:45 a.m. at Glenarm Street, where the freeway ends. Three vehicles were involved with five people injured in the crash, the Pasadena Fire Department reported.
Jesse Ramirez, 33, died at the scene, according to the coroner's office.
Ramirez was northbound on the Arroyo Seco Parkway with no lights on and unable to stay in one lane, the CHP said. When officers attempted to stop the 2012 Kia Rio, he accelerated at a high rate of speed and rear-ended two vehicles that were stopped at a red light.
Ramirez was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, the CHP noted.
The driver of a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta suffered moderate injuries and his female passenger suffered major injuries, the CHP said.
The driver of a 2012 Toyota Camry and his male passenger both suffered moderate injuries, the CHP said. Paramedics took the injured people to hospitals.
While the exact cause of the crash remained under investigation, the CHP said it appeared alcohol or drugs were a factor in the collision.