Police Chase Leads to Intersection Collision, Bystander Killed

Mesa, Arizona—A woman was killed after her vehicle was hit by a vehicle driven by a suspect who was fleeing police.

According to the Mesa Police Department, officers in unmarked vehicles attempted to initiate a traffic stop after Stephen Wilson, age 55, failed to stop at a stop sign in a Mesa neighborhood last Thursday. Wilson fled at a high rate of speed and officers pursued him. He made his way to Main Street and was weaving in and out of traffic when he ran a red light at Main Street and Dobson Road.

Wilson crashed into a vehicle driven by an unidentified woman. The woman was rushed to a hospital but ultimately died from her injuries.

Police arrested Wilson and detained his female passenger. The passenger informed officers that Wilson and thrown a gun and drugs from the window of the car as he fled police. The gun was located. During a search of the car, police found numerous counterfeit bills.

Police also obtained a search warrant for Wilson's blood and urine. The test revealed that Wilson had methamphetamine in his system. Wilson admitted to police that he smoked meth and used cocaine that day.

Wilson has been charged with several crimes, including manslaughter and endangerment.

Police are likely to investigating whether the officers who initiated the stop and followed Wilson's vehicle complied with agency regulations with respect to chasing suspect vehicles.

We offer our deepest condolences to the victim's family and friends.