ELK GROVE, CA – A tragic incident on Monday night claimed the life of a 55-year-old Sacramento man following a collision with a stolen vehicle in Elk Grove, authorities reported. The accident occurred in the vicinity east of Laguna and Franklin boulevards.
The episode unfolded at approximately 9:18 p.m. when Elk Grove police officers engaged in a pursuit of a stolen Toyota Sienna driven by a 13-year-old boy. The pursuit began on the freeway close to Elk Grove Boulevard when the Toyota failed to yield to officers. Subsequently, the officers lost sight of the vehicle before it collided with a westbound Nissan Rogue on Laguna.
The driver of the Nissan, identified as Sacramento resident Gregg Umipeg, later succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital.
Following the crash, the adolescent driver of the Toyota Sienna was taken into custody and now faces charges, including evasion resulting in serious injury or death. The juvenile has been detained at Juvenile Hall as the investigation into the incident continues.
In the United States, vehicle-related fatalities are a major concern, with approximately 36,000 deaths and an additional 1.9 million injuries occurring annually.
Source: The Legal Advocate
