SANTA ANA, Calif. – A vehicular manslaughter charge has been filed against an 18-year-old unlicensed driver for the death of a 15-year-old girl during a high-speed pursuit that commenced in Orange and concluded with a fatal collision in Long Beach. Authorities allege that the teenager was operating a stolen vehicle and fled police, resulting in a chase with speeds exceeding 120 mph.
The accused, identified as Izaiah Joseph Miranda of Santa Ana, is facing numerous counts, including felony vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, felony hit and run with permanent injury or death, felony evasion while driving recklessly causing death, and misdemeanor hit-and-run with property damage. An additional felony enhancement has been included for fleeing the scene after committing vehicular manslaughter. If convicted on all counts, Miranda could receive a sentence of up to 12 years and four months in state prison.
The tragic sequence of events unfolded on March 8, 2024, when officers responded to a report of a stolen vehicle with three individuals inside, among them two teenagers from Orangewood Children’s Home. While two complied with police orders to exit the car, the 15-year-old girl moved to the driver’s seat and fled with Miranda at the wheel. The high-speed chase that ensued ended disastrously in Long Beach, where the stolen car ran a red light and was struck by another vehicle, causing severe injuries to the teenager, who later succumbed to her injuries.
Source: New Santa Ana