Seven Felony Charges Filed on Pursuit Suspect

Los Angeles: On Tuesday, December 3, 2002, an assault with a knife occurred at the 13200 block of Maclay Street in Sylmar. The victim, Hipolito Ojeda, sustained a stab wound to the left elbow. The suspect fled the scene in his vehicle and Ojeda immediately called the police. Upon arrival, Foothill officers were talking with Ojeda when the suspect suddenly drove by their location with three passengers inside his vehicle. The officers broadcast a description of the vehicle and additional Foothill officers located the vehicle and attempted to stop it. The suspect driver, subsequently identified as Alejandro Martinez, accelerated away from the officers and a pursuit ensued. The officers pursued Martinez to Polk Street and Dronfield Avenue in Sylmar where Martinez’ vehicle collided with a Ford Expedition occupied by Harley Medellin and his wife, Victoria, and their 2 1/2 week-old baby. The suspect was immediately taken into custody. The baby sustained a severed arm above the left elbow and possible head trauma. He was airlifted to Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles where he was admitted in critical condition. As of the date of this press release, the baby’s condition has been upgraded to stable but guarded condition.
On Thursday, December 5, 2002, Foothill Area detectives submitted the investigation to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, San Fernando Branch, and seven felony charges were filed against Martinez. The seven charges are assault with a knife, felony evading causing injuries, felony evading with great bodily injuries, felony DUI with great bodily injuries, felony DUI with multiple great bodily injuries, felony DUI with over .08 blood/alcohol and great bodily injuries, and felony DUI with over .08 blood/alcohol and multiple great bodily injuries. Martinez was arraigned on the multiple charges immediately following the filing by the District Attorney’s Office.
The investigation is being handled by Foothill Detectives. For any further questions, please contact Lieutenant George Rock or Detective Frank Bishop at 818-834-3110.
This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Jason Lee, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.