A woman was killed in La Palma Wednesday, Dec. 18 following a police pursuit that ended when the fleeing car crashed into the uninvolved woman’s BMW, Fullerton police said in a written statement.

At around 12:45 p.m., a Fullerton Police Department detective saw a man committing a theft at a business in the area of N. Gilbert Street and W. Malvern Avenue. He then fled the scene in a white Nissan Rogue, according to the statement.

Officers attempted to stop the SUV, but the suspect, later identified as Anthony Hanzal, 43, of Anaheim, fled again, and a pursuit ensued.

Hanzal’s SUV was involved in a non-injury hit-and-run near Brookhurst Road and Orangethorpe Avenue, but he continued onto the 91 freeway, police said. Fullerton officers lost sight of the suspect vehicle when it exited at Knott Avenue.

Buena Park officers briefly located the vehicle, but lost sight of it as well. La Palma officers picked up the pursuit near La Palma Avenue and Walker Street.

The pursuit ended when Hanzal’s vehicle crashed into an uninvolved blue BMW in the area of La Palma Ave. and Moody Street, police said. The BMW’s driver, a woman in her 60s, sustained serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the statement.

Hanzal was taken to a local hospital for injuries sustained in the collision and will be booked on various charges at Fullerton City Jail, including petty theft, hit-and-run, and felony evading, police said.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the fatal collision, which could result in additional charges.

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