“U.S. Marine Arrested in Pursuit and Crash That Kills One in Escondido, California”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : ESCONDIDO, Calif. — A U.S. Marine stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar was apprehended on Monday night following a pursuit that ensued after an alleged theft from a sporting goods store. The pursuit ultimately ended in a tragic crash that resulted in one fatality and left another individual severely injured.

The incident unfolded around 10:28 p.m. when the Escondido Police Department received reports of theft involving three suspects, comprising two women and one man, at a Dick’s Sporting Goods store situated on Auto Park Way.

Upon arriving at the scene, law enforcement officers witnessed the suspects making their escape in a pickup truck. In response, the police initiated a pursuit of the suspect vehicle through Escondido, which eventually led them onto Washington Avenue. It was on this avenue that the driver of the truck, identified as 21-year-old Lance Corporal John Eugene Brand, attempted a high-speed turn onto Fig Street.

Unfortunately, during the turn, Brand lost control of the vehicle, resulting in a collision with a nearby retaining wall. Subsequently, the truck was identified as belonging to the U.S. Marine Corps, and stolen goods from Dick’s Sporting Goods were discovered inside the vehicle.

According to the Escondido Police Department, the two female suspects were ejected from the truck during the crash. Emergency services promptly transported both women to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Tragically, one of the women was later pronounced dead by medical personnel. The second woman underwent surgery and is expected to survive. During interviews with authorities, the survivor revealed that she had implored Brand multiple times to halt the vehicle, but he allegedly refused to allow her to exit.

Following the crash, Brand absconded from the scene but was ultimately apprehended by officers who found him hiding approximately a block away. Brand was subsequently arrested and taken into custody at the Vista Detention Facility.

The Escondido Police Department has charged Brand with several offenses, including vehicular manslaughter, kidnapping, evading police, hit and run resulting in death or injury, burglary, and conspiracy.

In order to respect the privacy of the individuals involved, the names of the two women are being withheld until their families have been notified.

FOX 5 has reached out to MCAS Miramar for a statement regarding this incident.

Please note that this is a developing story, and additional updates will be provided as they become available..