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James William Toomey

Age : 36

Gender : Male

Race : Black

Date : 07/29/2024

Location : Jackson Highway at Murieta D

City : Rancho Murieta

County : Sacramento

State : California

Agency : California Highway Patrol (CH

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Driver killed by police chase

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 07/29/2024 at approximately 8:15 p.m., California Highway Patrol officers attempted to stop a Hyundai that had been reported stolen. The driver, later identified as 36-year-old James William Toomey, continued driving while CHP officers pursued the vehicle through Sacramento County. During the pursuit, investigators reported the vehicle reached speeds exceeding 120 mph and traveled more than 15 miles before entering the Rancho Murieta area.
The pursuit ended at the intersection of Jackson Highway and Murieta Drive when Toomey's vehicle crossed into the intersection and broadsided a Rivian SUV occupied by three people. The Hyundai then struck a utility pole and burst into flames. Two CHP officers pulled Toomey and his female passenger from the burning vehicle. Both sustained critical injuries and were transported to area hospitals. Toomey died from his injuries the following morning. His female passenger survived with major injuries. The three occupants of the Rivian were transported to hospitals with moderate injuries.
The Sacramento County Coroner's Office identified the deceased driver as James William Toomey. CHP later identified the two pursuing officers who rescued the occupants from the burning Hyundai as Officers Brandon Rodgers and Jim Dann of the Amador Area office. Witnesses described the officers entering the burning vehicle despite heavy flames to remove both occupants.
As of the latest publicly available information, CHP has not publicly released the results of an internal pursuit review, and no public finding regarding compliance with pursuit policy has been issued. Court records indicate that at least one occupant of the struck Rivian later alleged that CHP negligently continued the high-speed pursuit through populated areas and subsequently filed legal claims arising from the collision.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.therivervalleytimes.com/2024/08/09/501164/chase-ends-in-fiery-crash