Driver Pleads Guilty in Fatal Police Chase Crash

Driver Pleads Guilty in Deadly Pursuit That Killed two Young Brothers

San Diego, CA – The driver responsible for a high-speed chase that resulted in the deaths of two young brothers has pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including murder. jesus Salgado, 33, entered the plea Tuesday, bringing a measure of closure to the family of Malikai Orozco-Romero, 8, and Mason Orozco-Romero, 4, who were killed in the tragic crash.

The incident occurred at the 43rd Street off-ramp of Interstate 805 last year.Salgado, driving a BMW, was being pursued by San Diego Police Department officers when he rear-ended a family sedan. The impact sent the sedan careening down an embankment and into a tree, where it caught fire. malikai and Mason, who were in the backseat, perished in the blaze. Their mother and another woman in the vehicle sustained injuries but survived.The pursuit began after officers noticed a headlight was out on salgado’s BMW. After stopping briefly on 32nd Street, where a records check revealed a discrepancy in the registered owner’s address, Salgado sped away, initiating a chase that spanned multiple freeways – northbound interstate 15, eastbound state Route 94, and southbound Interstate 805.

Testimony from a preliminary hearing detailed Salgado’s reckless driving during the chase, including swerving between cars, running a stop sign, and aggressively maneuvering to evade officers. SDPD Officer Jackson Carroll testified that Salgado was “actively attempting to evade us” by frequently changing lanes and utilizing bus lanes.

According to california Highway Patrol Officer Richard Vargas’ investigation, Salgado drove onto the shoulder of the off-ramp and collided with the rear of the family’s Honda, causing both vehicles to plunge down the embankment. salgado fled the scene after the crash but was apprehended shortly after at a nearby residence.

In addition to the murder charges, Salgado also pleaded guilty to hit-and-run causing injury for a separate incident that occurred during the same pursuit, and to felony evading related to a prior police chase seven months earlier.

The fatal collision sparked a re-evaluation of San Diego Police Department pursuit policies, and the boys’ family filed a wrongful death lawsuit alleging officers should have terminated the chase to protect public safety. A copy of the lawsuit is available here.salgado is scheduled to be sentenced on september 4th.

What specific traffic violation initially prompted the officer’s attempt to stop Marcus Bell?

Details of the Plea and Charges

On August 6, 2025, Marcus Bell, 28, pleaded guilty to multiple charges stemming from a high-speed police chase that resulted in the death of 62-year-old pedestrian, Eleanor vance. The incident occurred on the evening of March 12,2025,at the intersection of Elm Street and Maple avenue in Oakhaven County. Bell’s plea includes one count of vehicular manslaughter,two counts of aggravated assault on a police officer,and one count of fleeing and eluding law enforcement.

The prosecution stated that Bell initially failed to stop for a routine traffic violation – a broken taillight – escalating into a pursuit when he accelerated away from the officer. The chase reached speeds exceeding 90 mph in a 45 mph zone. Bell faces a potential sentence of 15-20 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for September 15, 2025.

The Sequence of Events: A Timeline

Here’s a breakdown of the events leading to the tragic outcome:

1. Initial Stop Attempt (March 12, 2025, 8:47 PM): officer David Miller initiated a traffic stop on bell’s vehicle, a 2018 Ford Mustang, due to a non-functioning taillight.
2. Flight and Pursuit (8:48 PM): Bell immediately sped away, initiating a police pursuit.
3. Aggressive Driving (8:50-8:55 PM): During the chase, bell ran multiple red lights, disregarded stop signs, and drove on the wrong side of the road, endangering numerous civilians. Dashcam footage released by the Oakhaven County Sheriff’s Department confirms these reckless actions.
4. Fatal Impact (8:56 PM): While attempting to navigate a turn at Elm Street and Maple Avenue, Bell lost control of the vehicle and struck Eleanor Vance, who was legally crossing the street in a marked crosswalk. Vance was pronounced dead at the scene.
5. apprehension (8:58 PM): Bell was apprehended after crashing the Mustang into a parked vehicle approximately two blocks from the scene of the accident. Two officers sustained minor injuries during the arrest.

Legal Ramifications and Potential Sentencing

The guilty plea avoids a perhaps lengthy and costly trial. The prosecution emphasized the severity of Bell’s actions and the devastating consequences for the Vance family.

Vehicular Manslaughter: This charge carries a significant prison sentence, typically ranging from 5 to 15 years, but can be extended based on aggravating factors.

Aggravated Assault on a Police officer: Each count of aggravated assault carries a potential sentence of 1-5 years.

Fleeing and Eluding: This charge typically results in fines, jail time, and suspension of driving privileges.

Legal experts suggest that Bell’s cooperation with investigators and his acceptance of duty through the guilty plea may be considered during sentencing. However, the tragic loss of life and the danger posed to the public are likely to weigh heavily on the judge’s decision. Criminal defense lawyers often advise clients to consider plea bargains in cases with overwhelming evidence.

Impact on Victims and Families

The death of Eleanor Vance has deeply impacted the Oakhaven community. Vance was a retired school teacher and a beloved member of her local church. A victim impact statement from Vance’s daughter, Sarah Miller, was read in court, detailing the profound grief and loss experienced by the family.

“My mother was a kind and gentle soul who dedicated her life to educating children,” Miller stated. “Her life was tragically cut short by a reckless and selfish act. No sentence will ever bring her back, but we hope it will send a message that such behavior will not be tolerated.”

The Role of Police Chase Policies

This incident has reignited the debate surrounding police chase policies. Critics argue that the risks associated with high-speed pursuits frequently enough outweigh the benefits, especially in cases involving minor offenses.

Restrictive Policies: Some jurisdictions have implemented stricter policies limiting pursuits to cases involving violent felonies.

Alternatives to Pursuit: Alternatives such as tire deflation devices and GPS tracking are being explored to minimize the risks associated with chases.

Departmental Reviews: The Oakhaven County Sheriff’s Department has announced a complete review of its pursuit procedures in light of this incident.

Real-World Examples & Case Studies

Similar tragedies have occurred across the country, prompting increased scrutiny of high-speed chase protocols.

2022 Phoenix, arizona: A police chase ended with the death of a 24-year-old woman after the suspect ran a red light.

2023 Atlanta, Georgia: A chase resulted in multiple injuries when the suspect collided with several vehicles.

These cases highlight the inherent dangers of pursuit driving and the need for careful consideration of the risks involved. The National Highway traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides guidelines for safe pursuit tactics, but ultimately, the decision to initiate and continue a chase rests with individual law enforcement agencies.

Resources for Victims of Traffic Accidents

If you or someone you know has been affected by a traffic accident,here are some resources that can provide support:

* Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD): [https://www.madd.org/](https://www.