Pursuit of Attempt Murder Suspect Ends in Tragic Collision

"Pursuit of Attempt Murder Suspect Ends in Tragic Collision"

Los Angeles: On Tuesday, December 3, 2002, 2:00 p.m., Foothill Area uniformed patrol officers responded to a stabbing call in the 13000 block of Maclay Street in Sylmar. At the scene, the officers were met by the attempt murder victim, a 36 year-old male Hispanic. The victim stated he tried to stop the suspect, Alejandro Martinez, a 26 year-old resident of Pacoima, from repeatedly kicking a 34 year-old male Hispanic who was lying on the ground. The suspect then pulled out a knife and attempted to stab the 36 year-old victim in the chest area however, the victim was able to deflect the knife and was stabbed in the arm. The suspect fled to an awaiting vehicle, which contained three additional people. The suspect vehicle was described as a blue 1991, 4-door, Chevrolet Corsica.
 
Officers at the scene advised surrounding units with a description and direction of travel of the suspect vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was also the suspect in the stabbing. Foothill Officers located the suspect’s vehicle within blocks of the crime scene and attempted to stop it. The officers pursued the suspect’s vehicle to the intersection of Polk Street and Dronfield Avenue where the suspect ran a red light and collided with a silver 2001 Ford Expedition.
 
A 2 ½ week-old infant, and his parents, a 30 year-old female, and a 32 year-old male, all residents of Sylmar, were in the Ford. The infant was in a child safety seat but the impact was so great that one of his arms was severed by a door jam. He was airlifted to the Children’s Hospital in critical condition. The father received broken ribs and was treated at a local hospital. The mother apparently did not receive any injuries.
 
Suspect Martinez was arrested for attempt murder. Three other occupants in the suspect’s vehicle were not arrested or charged with any crime, however, they did receive various collision-related injuries and were being treated at local hospitals.
 
This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Renee’ Montoya, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.