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On February 23, 2021, Joseph Benavente was fatally shot by an Ontario police officer following a brief vehicle pursuit. The incident began when officers attempted to stop Benavente for a vehicle code violation. He fled, leading officers on a short chase that ended on North Beverly Court, a dead-end street off West 6th Street. There, Benavente rammed three police cruisers. An officer exited his vehicle and opened fire, striking Benavente. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene. A female passenger in the vehicle was not injured and was arrested on an unrelated citation.

https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/chase-pursuit-deadly-police-shooting-ontario/2533431/
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-02-23/police-shoot-and-kill-driver-after-3-ontario-cruisers-are-rammed

On February 22, 2021, around 1:00 p.m., a motorcyclist on a Kawasaki refused to stop for the California Highway Patrol while traveling northbound on Interstate 15 near Fallbrook. The rider sped off at high speed and collided with a Toyota Camry and the center guardrail, suffering fatal injuries. He was transported to Palomar Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The rider’s name was not released by officials, but he was described as a White male. The California Highway Patrol is conducting the investigation.

https://timesofsandiego.com/crime/2021/02/22/kawasaki-rider-flees-chp-traffic-stop-and-dies-in-crash-on-northbound-i-15-near-fallbrook/
https://villagenews.com/roadway-blocked-on-i-15-after-fatal-motorcycle-crash-near-fallbrook/

On February 19, 2021, Costa Mesa Police officers responded to an incident near the 1500 block of South Coast Drive involving 34-year-old Jose David Valdez. Police said Valdez backed his vehicle toward passengers and then accelerated toward officers, prompting them to open fire. Valdez was struck and killed at the scene. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office conducted an investigation and later determined the shooting to be legally justified.

https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/story/2021-02-19/costa-mesa-officer-involved-shooting-leaves-one-dead
https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/costa-mesa-police-officer-shooting-car/
https://orangecountyda.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Valdez-OIS-SA-21-000554-Final-Signed-letter.pdf

On February 17, 2021, 32-year-old Hector Javier Puga was killed by police following a pursuit in Hesperia, California. The incident began when California Highway Patrol officers identified Puga's vehicle, a white Ford Expedition, matching the description from a shooting incident the previous evening on Interstate 15. When officers attempted a traffic stop, Puga did not stop. Police escalated a chase involving both CHP and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department deputies. The chase concluded at the intersection of Peach Avenue and Catalpa Street, where Puga's vehicle became disabled. After an hour-long standoff, during which officers fired beanbags, Puga exited the vehicle and was shot by officers after allegedly reaching for a firearm. Three bystanders—a man, a woman, and a 14-year-old boy—were injured by stray bullets during the incident. The San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office later reviewed the shooting and deemed the use of lethal force legally justified.

https://www.vvng.com/pursuit-suspect-dead-3-bystanders-injured-in-officer-involved-shooting-in-hesperia/
https://da.sbcounty.gov/2024/10/04/officer-involved-shooting-fatal-hesperia-puga-h/
https://da.sbcounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/120/2024/10/OIS-Public-Release-Memo-Puga-Hector.pdf

On 02/15/2021, at approximately 2 p.m., El Monte Police Department officers responded to a robbery report near Garvey Avenue and Durfee Avenue in El Monte, California. Officers observed Francisco Eduardo Flores, 30, who matched the description provided in the report, fleeing onto the eastbound off-ramp of the 10 Freeway at Durfee Avenue.
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An officer chased Flores and escalated a physical altercation. A second officer arrived to join the fight. During the physical fight, at least one officer opened fire, killing Flores. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Homicide Bureau is investigating the shooting. Investigators have confirmed that Flores was unarmed. The officers involved have not been publicly identified.

• https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/el-monte-police-fatally-shoot-man-near-10-freeway/
• https://www.foxla.com/news/man-shot-killed-in-el-monte-lasd-says
• https://abc7.com/officer-involved-shooting-el-monte-ois-los-angeles-sheriffs-dept-lasd/10342682/

On February 12, 2021, 21-year-old bystander Isabella “Bella” Calhoun-Chipress was killed when a police chased an allegedly stolen minivan into her vehicle at Jamacha Road and Sweetwater Road. The 17-year-old driver of the stolen van was reportedly fleeing deputies after a traffic stop. Bella had recently married and was scheduled to begin Marine Corps boot camp in May. She was driving home from work at IKEA when the crash occurred.

https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/mother-makes-plea-for-justice-after-spring-valley-daughter-killed-in-stolen-vehicle-pursuit-crash
https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/newlywed-21-killed-driver-fleeing-sheriff-spring-valley-crash
https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/21-year-old-killed-in-spring-valley-car-crash-just-married-planned-for-marines/2522005/
https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/local/spring-valley-crash-victim-family-speaks-out/509-fb610614-bb3c-445b-9a17-f0e43641dc1f
https://fox5sandiego.com/news/local-news/woman-identified-in-fatal-spring-valley-crash-involving-stolen-van/

In the early morning hours of February 10, 2021, officers from the Los Angeles Police Department attempted to stop a stolen Honda CR-V around 12:30 a.m. in East Los Angeles. The driver refused to stop, and police escalated a pursuit that continued onto the I-10 Freeway. The driver exited near Corporate Center Drive in Monterey Park, lost control, and crashed into a tree. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, and a female passenger was transported to a hospital with injuries.

https://mynewsla.com/crime/2021/02/10/pursuit-suspect-slams-into-tree-in-monterey-park-killed-passenger-injured/
https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2021/02/10/monterey-park-police-chase-fatal-crash/
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/suspect-dies-after-police-pursuit-ends-in-fiery-crash-in-monterey-park/2523915/

On February 6, 2021, at approximately 9:15 p.m., Long Beach Police Department officers responded to reports of a man, later identified as 26-year-old Anthony Steven Loia, walking near Magnolia Avenue and 14th Street, pointing a handgun at people and passing vehicles. Upon arrival, officers located Loia, who matched the description provided by callers. Officers gave multiple commands for Loia to drop his firearm, which he ignored. When he refused to comply, five officers opened fire, striking Loia. Officers immediately performed CPR, but Loia was pronounced dead at the scene. A firearm was recovered near his body.
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Investigation:
The Long Beach Police Department is conducting a thorough investigation into the incident, including reviewing body-worn camera footage from the involved officers. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is also conducting an independent investigation, as per standard protocol for officer-involved shootings resulting in injury or death. The names of the involved officers have not been publicly disclosed.

• https://lbpost.com/news/police-shooting-ois-long-beach-anthony-loia/
• https://ktla.com/news/local-news/family-friends-hold-vigil-for-26-year-old-father-who-was-fatally-shot-by-long-beach-police/
• https://patch.com/california/los-angeles/man-pointing-gun-passing-vehicles-shot-long-beach-police
• https://www.longbeachlocalnews.com/2021/03/17/long-beach-police-release-body-camera-footage-of-officer-involved-shooting/
• https://sigtrib.com/lbpd-releases-body-camera-footage-showing-events-leading-up-to-police-shooting-of-anthony-loia/
 

On February 3, 2021, at approximately 3:51 p.m., Pomona Police Department officers attempted to stop a 1990 maroon Honda Accord for a vehicle code violation near San Antonio Avenue and Ninth Street. The driver, later identified as 22-year-old Eli Richard Machado Lopez, did not stop. Po.lice escalated a chase that reached speeds of up to 106 mph.
Police claim they "called off the chase" just before the driver collided with a Nissan Maxima at the intersection of South San Antonio Avenue and Philadelphia Street. The impact was severe, w.ith Pinto-Mendez sustaining fatal injuries. He was pronounced dead at the crash site.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is investigating the incident. Pinto-Mendez's father suffered a heart attack upon learning of his son's death.

• https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/man-sentenced-to-20-years-to-life-for-pomona-pursuit-crash-that-killed-innocent-driver/
• https://kfiam640.iheart.com/featured/la-local-news/content/2024-05-28-ex-con-sentenced-for-deadly-crash-in-pomona/
• https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/pomona-pursuit-crash-rolando-pinto-vigil/
• https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/driver-murder-arrest-crash-pomona-traffic-stop/2518847/

A man was killed by Vacaville Police after a pursuit that began when he was seen doing donuts in the parking lot of City Hall around 8:30 p.m. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the man did not stop. Police escalated a chase. During the pursuit, the man rammed a police cruiser near the Vacaville Skating Center, injuring an officer. The chase continued until Davis Street and Bella Vista Road, where officers opened fire and killed him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-01-27/vacaville-police-kill-driver-who-struck-patrol-vehicle
https://www.abc10.com/article/news/crime/pursuit-suspect-killed-following-police-shooting-in-vacaville/103-efa47425-7c78-4c2c-803a-047caf382aa2
https://www.ktvu.com/news/vacaville-police-fatally-shoot-man-they-say-drove-recklessly-rammed-patrol-car

On 01/22/2021, Indio Police Department officers responded to reports of a man acting erratically near Cardenas Market on Highway 111 in Indio, California. The individual, identified as 41-year-old Jose Albert Lizarraga Garcia, was observed entering and exiting multiple stores, throwing items, and behaving disruptively. Upon contact, Garcia was physically restrained by several officers. During the restraint, Garcia repeatedly stated, "I can't breathe." A mesh spit hood was placed over his head. Shortly thereafter, Garcia became unresponsive and died while prone and restrained, his head inside of a spit hood.

https://kesq.com/news/2021/02/24/new-body-camera-video-shows-indio-police-in-custody-death-near-cardenas-market/
https://kesq.com/news/2021/02/03/i-cant-breathe-new-video-shows-indio-police-struggle-with-man-who-died-in-custody-family-to-file-lawsuit/
https://www.newsweek.com/california-family-sue-died-custody-cant-breathe-video-emerges-1566855
https://patch.com/california/palmdesert/police-body-cam-footage-released-indio-custody-death
https://eldiariony.com/2021/02/12/jose-albert-lizarraga-el-latino-que-murio-gritando-que-no-podia-respirar-mientras-era-arrestado-por-la-policia-de-indio-california/

On January 20, 2021, a male driver was killed following a police pursuit in Fontana, California. Fontana Police Department officers attempted to stop a vehicle in connection with an ongoing investigation. The driver did not stop. Police escalated a pursuit through Rialto and Rancho Cucamonga until the vehicle exited the 210 Freeway at Beech Avenue and collided with another vehicle occupied by a man and a woman. The male occupant of the struck vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene, while the female passenger and the pursued driver were hospitalized with injuries.

https://www.sbcounty.gov/uploads/SBCFire/documents/NewsClips/2021/01/20210122.NC.pdf?

On January 15, 2021, a California Highway Patrol officer attempted to stop a speeding vehicle on the 405 Freeway. The driver refused to stop. Officers escalated a pursuit that ended when the driver exited at Roscoe Boulevard in North Hills and crashed into another vehicle, causing a fiery wreck. The driver of the fleeing vehicle was killed at the scene. A CHP officer was also injured in the crash and hospitalized.

TOTAL FATALITIES/INJURIES:
1 fatality, 1 injury

https://abc7.com/pursuit-crash-fiery-collision-roscoe-blvd/9695357/
https://ktla.com/news/local-news/driver-killed-after-crashing-into-car-during-chp-pursuit-in-north-hills/
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/driver-killed-in-crash-after-chp-pursuit-in-north-hills/2511603/

California Highway Patrol attempted to stop a vehicle for speeding. The driver did not stop, and officers escalated a high-speed pursuit on the 405 Freeway. Near the Roscoe Boulevard exit in North Hills, the vehicle crashed and caught fire. The driver died at the scene. A CHP officer was injured and transported to the hospital.

https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2021/01/15/chp-pursuit-ends-in-fatal-fiery-crash-on-405-freeway-in-north-hills/
https://www.dailynews.com/2021/01/15/1-killed-in-crash-during-chp-pursuit-in-north-hills/
https://abc7.com/pursuit-crash-fiery-collision-roscoe-blvd/9695357/

On January 14, 2021, a man was killed in a fiery crash on the 405 Freeway near Roscoe Boulevard in Van Nuys during a police chase. The California Highway Patrol attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver did not stop. The pursuit ended when the car crashed and caught fire. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/high-speed-chase-ends-with-fiery-fatal-wreck-on-405-freeway-in-van-nuys/

Police alleged that the driver, identified as 38-year-old Daniel Alvarado Jr., produced a gun. At least one officer opened fire and killed Alvarado. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Homicide Bureau is leading the investigation. The identities of the officers involved have not been disclosed. The San Gabriel Police Department has not confirmed whether body cameras were used.

• https://patch.com/california/los-angeles/man-fatally-shot-san-gabriel-cops-traffic-stop-identified
• https://ktla.com/news/local-news/san-gabriel-police-fatally-shoot-man-believed-to-be-armed-during-traffic-stop/
• https://abc7.com/san-gabriel-ois-officer-involved-shooting/9327639/

On January 1, 2021, at approximately 2:30 p.m., American Canyon Police attempted to stop a motorcyclist near the city limits for reckless riding. The motorcyclist, identified as Antonio Hines, 30, of Vallejo, drove on. Police escalated a chase through Vallejo. During the chase, he rode on sidewalks, bike paths, and park walking paths. Police allegedly called off the chase at the intersection of Mini Drive and Tuolumne Street; however, a CHP air unit continued to follow the rider until Hines lost control and crashed near Hanns Park. American Canyon officers arrived shortly after the crash and attempted to render aid, but he was unresponsive. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene. The Vallejo Police Department is handling the collision investigation, as the incident occurred within their jurisdiction.

https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/dirt-bike-rider-dies-vallejo-pursuit-police-chp/
https://www.sfchronicle.com/crime/article/Motorcyclist-crashes-and-dies-after-wild-chase-15841600.php