A passenger of a man suspected of attempting to steal cars was killed in a crash during a Newport Beach police pursuit that ended in Costa Mesa early Sunday morning, Jan. 26, authorities said.

The pursuit began around 2:45 a.m. after the suspect attempted to steal a vehicle in a residential area near the Costa Mesa border, on Santiago Drive and Irvine Avenue, Newport Beach Police Sgt. Steve Oberon said.

It was unclear how fast the driver was going when the short pursuit abruptly ended after the suspect crashed into a Southern California Edison pole at the intersection of Santa Ana Avenue and 22nd Street.

The driver’s front passenger died at the scene, while the driver and rear passenger were hospitalized for their injuries, the Costa Mesa Police Department said.

The driver, a 20-year-old Carson man, was later arrested on suspicion of vehicular homicide, felony DUI, felony evasion, and attempted vehicle theft. The back-seat passenger was arrested on suspicion of attempted vehicle theft.

The identity of the deceased passenger was withheld pending family notification.

No further information was immediately available.

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