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Tobias “Victor” Soto

Age : 14

Gender : Male

Race : Latino/a/e

Date : 07/31/2022

Location : Louis Henna Boulevard and La Frontera Boulevard

City : Round Rock

County : Williamson

State : Texas

Agency : Round Rock Police Department

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Bystander killed by police chase crash

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

REASON FOR CHASE: Round Rock police chased a stolen vehicle when a bystander was hit.
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NARRATIVE:
On 07/31/2022, 14-year-old Tobias “Victor” Soto was killed when a stolen vehicle fleeing Round Rock police struck him as he walked through the crosswalk at Louis Henna Boulevard and La Frontera Boulevard in Round Rock.
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Round Rock police had received information from a law-enforcement traffic-camera system concerning a stolen vehicle traveling westbound on Gattis School Road. Officers located the vehicle in the La Frontera area and activated their emergency equipment in an attempt to stop it.
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The driver accelerated away and began weaving through traffic on Louis Henna Boulevard at speeds approaching 100 mph. Police subsequently attempted to disengage from the vehicle.
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The fleeing driver ran a red light, crashed into another vehicle in the intersection and then struck Soto, who was walking in the crosswalk. The impact propelled the 14-year-old approximately 300 feet. He died at the scene.
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The entire police encounter occurred within seconds and covered less than one-quarter mile.
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The driver fled from the wreck on foot but was apprehended by Round Rock police. He was identified as Leandro Brito-Martinez. Investigators said Brito-Martinez admitted knowing the vehicle was stolen and acknowledged seeing police behind him before officers attempted the stop.
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Soto had left home that Sunday afternoon to meet his best friend but never arrived. His mother traced his phone to the intersection after she could no longer reach him and encountered the emergency response at the crash scene.
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Soto was preparing to begin high school and was looking forward to playing football. Family and friends described him as an athlete who had boxed since he was eight years old. He also enjoyed drawing, gaming, reading and cooking.

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OFFICER BACKGROUND:
The Round Rock Police Department did not publicly identify the officer(s) who attempted to stop the stolen vehicle in the sources located.
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SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.fox7austin.com/news/leandro-brito-martinez-stolen-car-high-speed-chase-vehicular-homicide-tobias-soto
https://www.univision.com/local/austin-kakw/policia-round-rock-leandro-brito-martinez-accidente-mortal-menor-14-anos
https://www.univision.com/local/austin-kakw/leandro-brito-martinez-enfrenta-cargos-de-homicidio-tras-chocar-auto-robado-y-matar-a-un-menor-en-round-rock-video
https://www.beckchapels.com/obituaries/Tobias-Victor-Soto?obId=28821382
https://www.gofundme.com/f/victor-soto-RIP