1 dead after police chase in Yosemite National Park | YourCentralValley.com

FRESNO, California (KSEE/KGPE) – A 34-year-old man being pursued by Yosemite National Park police has died in a crash that also involved four people from two different countries, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Officers said they received a call from Yosemite National Park Police around 12:15 p.m. Wednesday about a man they were pursuing in a Toyota Yaris. Yosemite National Park Police requested police assistance in the pursuit.

CHP units from Oakhurst in Madera County arrived in the area when Yosemite National Park Police called off their pursuit. CHP units stated that the Toyota Yaris drove past their location and they did not pursue the vehicle.

The Toyota Yaris was traveling southbound on Highway 41 at a high rate of speed when it entered the River Falls Road area. Also traveling southbound in the same area was a 55-year-old Mexican man driving a Hyundai – and on Highway 41 northbound, a 62-year-old Canadian man driving a Chevrolet was approaching the area.

Officials said the front of the Toyota Yaris struck the right rear of the Hyundai. This impact caused the Toyota Yaris to strike the embankment, roll over, and then slide into the northbound lane of Highway 41. The Toyota Yaris continued to spin out of control and the roof collided with the front of the Chevrolet.

According to CHP, the driver of the Toyota was not properly restrained and died at the scene. CHP says alcohol and/or drugs are believed to have played a role in this accident. The three people from Canada in the Chevrolet were taken to the hospital; the person in the Hyundai from Mexico was uninjured.

The investigation into this incident is ongoing. The name of the driver of the Toyota Yaris has not been officially released.