Suspected car thief dies in Loma Linda crash after chase by victim

LOMA LINDA (KABC) -- A suspected car thief died in a crash in Loma Linda after he was chased by the owner of the stolen vehicle, police said.

The chase began after a Fontana man heard his 1994 Acura Integra being started around 2:30 a.m. Thursday outside his girlfriend's home in Loma Linda, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

He spotted a man stealing the car and the couple jumped into her 2006 Honda Pilot to give chase as the girlfriend called police.

But the chase ended quickly after the two vehicles collided near the Mountain View Avenue onramp to the 10 Freeway.

The suspect lost control of the Integra and crashed into the freeway overpass embankment and was thrown from the vehicle. He died at the scene.

The owner of the stolen car and his girlfriend suffered minor injuries. Officers interviewed and later released them.

The name of the suspect, a 25-year-old man from Fontana, was not immediately released.

Police are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or has any additional information to call San Bernardino Sheriff's investigators at 909-477-2800 or (909)477-2817.