‘High rate of speed’: 3 teens, 1 man killed fleeing deputies near Madera

MADERA COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - A suspected vehicle burglary spree ended in tragedy overnight after a fleeing car crashed into a concrete barrier in Madera County, killing three teenagers and a man. According to the Madera County Sheriff’s Office, early Sunday morning, deputies were responding to reports of vehicle burglaries in a neighborhood near El Vado and Avenue 18½ when they encountered a car matching witness descriptions. “As our deputies arrived on the scene of the collision, they located four deceased subjects on scene and one in critical condition,” said Kate Woertaman with the Madera County Sheriff's Office. Investigators say the five males, ranging in age from 13 to 25, had been in the area attempting to break into vehicles shortly before the crash. Witnesses provided a description of the suspect vehicle, which deputies located soon after arriving in the neighborhood. Authorities say that as deputies approached, the five individuals got into their car and attempted to flee. “The vehicle continued to flee at a high rate of speed. Our deputies were following behind, attempting to catch up to it when the vehicle crashed into a concrete barrier at the on-ramp onto Interstate 99,” Woertaman said. Inside the vehicle were four teenagers and a 25-year-old driver. Two 15-year-old boys, a 13-year-old boy, and the driver died at the scene. An 18-year-old was the sole survivor. He was airlifted to a nearby hospital and remains in critical condition. The Fresno County Sheriff's Office will identify the victims, pending notification to next of kin. The California Highway Patrol is investigating the collision. The Madera County Sheriff’s Office will continue to investigate the reported vehicle burglaries. If you have any information regarding this case, please contact Detective M. Fullhart at 559-675-2497 ext. 4120.