Woman hit by fleeing minors suffers major injuries in Fresno police chase crash, CHP says

A woman suffered major injuries on Highway 180 on Thursday after her car was struck by a driver fleeing from Fresno police, California Highway Patrol said.

The chase began after two male suspects, who were both under 18, were suspected of a robbery at a gas station at about 3 a.m. in Fresno, according to CHP officer Mike Salas.

Fresno police began a pursuit around 6 a.m. that worked its way out into the county, Salas said, and the two minors in a Lexus were headed north on Cornelia Avenue toward Highway 180, which is also called Whitesbridge Avenue in that area.

“At one point per Fresno PD, the speeds were very extreme, very high speeds,” Salas said.

Police called off the pursuit south of the highway, according to Salas, but the driver continued to speed and struck a Nissan Acura headed east on 180.

Both cars careened into a field on the northeast corner of the intersection, CHP said, and the Acura came to rest on its roof.

The woman was taken to an area hospital with major injuries, CHP said. Both of the teens were being treated for minor injuries.

One of them attempted to flee on foot after the crash but was apprehended by police, CHP said.

The commute in the area was disrupted for about two hours, CHP said.