An 18-year-old man, Izaiah Joseph Miranda, has been charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors following a police pursuit that resulted in the death of a 15-year-old girl in Long Beach.
Miranda stands accused of leading police on a high-speed chase from Orange to Long Beach, where the stolen vehicle he was driving crashed. The passenger, identified as 15-year-old Denisse Uribe, sustained critical injuries during the pursuit and tragically passed away on March 13, according to Los Angeles County coroner records.
The charges against Miranda include leading police on a chase causing death, gross vehicular manslaughter, child abuse and endangerment, hit-and-run resulting in permanent and serious injury, as well as a misdemeanor count of hit-and-run with property damage. Additionally, Miranda faces a sentencing enhancement for fleeing the scene following vehicular manslaughter.
The pursuit initiated in Orange on March 8 and concluded near Seventh Street and Orange Avenue in Long Beach, just before 1:40 a.m., as reported by Long Beach police.
According to authorities, the stolen vehicle collided with another vehicle during the pursuit, then careened out of control, ultimately crashing into five parked cars before breaking down in the road. Miranda fled the scene on foot, leaving Uribe critically injured.
Uribe was rushed to a local hospital, where she fought for her life but succumbed to her injuries on March 13.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support Uribe’s family, describing her as a “creative mind” with a passion for animals and aspirations to work with them.
Miranda’s arraignment is scheduled for Thursday in Santa Ana.