ESCONDIDO, Calif. (KGTV) -- Dramatic video shows a deadly crash in Escondido Friday.
According to Escondido Police, two men who were sleeping in the bushes died after a 13-year-old girl who reportedly took her mother’s car tried to flee from police. The two men were later identified as 33-year-old Mateo Salvador and 55-year-old Sofio Sotelo Torres. The department says it was unable to locate or identify the next of kin for either of the men.
The crash was reported around 11:20 p.m. Friday on Mission Avenue and Ash Street.
Escondido Police say an officer stopped the car near Mission Avenue and Gamble Street for a traffic violation.
"What the officer didn't know at the time is that the girl's juvenile friend was a passenger in the car."
The two girls then reportedly fled in the car as officers approached.
"They apparently lost control and their car slid into the planter on the east side of the road near a SDG&E transfer facility," Toth said.
After detaining the girls, officers discovered that the car had struck two men who appeared to be homeless. One of the men was pronounced dead at the scene. The other was taken to the hospital where he later died.
Video of the crash shows a vehicle slamming on the brakes before crashing into several bushes along the side of the road.
City News Service contributed to this article.
