A man recently paroled from San Quentin is accused of stealing a truck and crashing it into another car, killing one woman and injuring two others, while being chased by the Richmond police, say officials.
The suspect, Jordan Taitano, took police on a high speed chase which ended on San Pablo Dam Road in El Sabrante where the crash occurred. The truck, which Taitano was driving, smashed into a Mercedes, hurtling it into several parked cars.
The rear seat passenger in the Mercedes, a 57-year-oldwoman, was killed from the impact of the crash. The driver and front seat passenger were both seriously injured.
A woman who tried to get away from the suspect before the chase started was also seriously injured, said the police.
Taitano is accused of robbing a husband and wife at a local inn were the couple was staying. Police said the husband fought with the suspect while his wife escaped by jumping though a closed window. The woman suffered significant injuries from the escape.
Police said the suspect left the scene of the robbery on foot and carjacked a passing motorist. The Richmond police recognized the carjacked vehicle minutes later and gave chase. The chase began at relatively low speeds but eventually progressed to very high speeds prior to the crash.
Taitano fled the site of the accident and was apprehended shortly afterward. He was booked into the Contra Costa County Jail on suspicion of vehicular homicide, carjacking and robbery, said authorities.
Taitano was paroled from San Quentin one week before the incident, according to authorities.
