Police say a fiery crash in California that killed one person Saturday was caused by a 13-year-old out for a joyride in the family car. The teen is now facing felony charges.
Family members have identified the woman who died in a crash yesterday in Woodland as 43-year-old Tina Vital.
Woodland police said the crash happened after a 13-year-old who stole a family member’s car was seen driving erratically and then failed to stop when officers tried to pull him over.
Police said the teen led them on a chase and then crashed into two other cars at the intersection of College and Court streets at about 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, causing the cars to catch on fire.
Some who knew Vital visited the crash scene on Sunday to leave flowers in her memory. Manuel Fierro said he went to school with her in Woodland.
“I felt I’d come by today, especially on Easter when most of us are getting together with our families today. She won’t be. So, I brought her some roses and just said my farewells to her,” Fierro said.
Justin Severson also stopped by after witnessing the aftermath of the crash on Saturday.
“It’s just tragic,” he said.
He is a chef at nearby Father Paddy’s Pub.
“I’m used to working with fire. I will never see fire in the same way after seeing that. It was the most horrible thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” Severson said.
Vital’s family said she had just gotten her truck driving license and was the mother of two, an adult son and a daughter. Both of them were in the car with Vital during the crash, along with her 5-year-old granddaughter. All three are in the hospital in critical condition, according to Vital’s brother.
The tragic event has left the community shocked and shaken.
“A lot of anger that something like this happened,” Fierro said. “Lives were changed forever because of it.”
Woodland police said, after getting medical treatment, the teenage driver will be booked on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and evading causing injuries. Both are felony charges.
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