Deadly pursuit crash raises questions about safety

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Top law enforcement officials are speaking out about safety after a deadly pursuit crash Monday night.

The person who died was identified as a 42-year-old Cherry Valley man. Police say he was running from police when he turned onto Interstate 10, heading the wrong direction, and triggered a head-on crash. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. Two women from Indio were also injured in the crash.

Video shared with News Channel 3 from a Tesla following the two women who were struck showed them make an evasive turn to the right in an effort to avoid the oncoming car. The vehicle being pursued turned in the same direction — then, the two collided.

California Highway Patrol officer David Torres said the women did everything right in that situation.

"We ask you to make an evasive movement and pay attention," he said. "It looks like they were paying attention. Unfortunately, the other vehicle was traveling really fast. He was going the wrong way and there was nothing they could do."

In the aftermath of that crash, we asked the top law enforcement officials at Indio Police Department's National Night Out on Tuesday night.

While the pursuit did not involve his officers, we asked Indio Police Chief Brian Tully, "How can you assure the public that they're safe from these types of pursuit crashes?"

"What we're doing and what you and I are doing right now is educating the public," he said, gesturing to the gathering around him. "We're constantly educating how to prevent or or be aware of certain things that could occur or could put you in danger. The most important thing is we're trying to keep people from being victims."

Officers from Indio PD and CHP had similar answers when it came to pursuit policy. Chief Tully outlined how they only pursue for serious crimes, and if officers assess a situation is becoming too dangerous to the public, his officers back off. He said they employ technology, like drones and automatic license plate readers (ALPR cameras) to track suspects, rather than put the public at risk.

He added, though, "We have to keep in mind – and the community is concerned – we always have to balance public safety and privacy rights."

Chief Tully pointed out that events that educate and engage the public, like National Night Out, were critical in helping bridge that gap.