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65-Year-Old Woman Fatally Struck By Suspect Fleeing Pittsburg Police

PITTSBURG (CBS SF) -- A 65-year-old Pittsburg woman was fatally struck by a speeding vehicle fleeing from police in Pittsburg Tuesday morning, a police captain said.

The suspect who allegedly struck the woman in the area of West Leland and Golf Club roads has been arrested on suspicion of evading and hit-and-run, Pittsburg police Capt. Ron Raman said.

A Pittsburg police officer initially spotted the male driver speeding in a vehicle at about 7:45 a.m. on eastbound West Leland Road, according to police.

When the officer attempted to stop the vehicle, the suspect accelerated

suspect
Vela Chavez, Aroldo DOB: 09/19/89

and headed into heavy commute traffic, which police said led to the officer calling off the chase.

Less than a mile down the road from the officer, the vehicle struck the pedestrian walking along the sidewalk and then crashed through the fence at Delta View Golf Course, according to police.

The vehicle continued onto the golf course before the driver abandoned the vehicle and attempted to flee, police said.

Officers later located the suspect on Dover Way, several blocks from the scene of the collision.

The suspect was later identified by police as 26-year-old Concord resident Aroldo Vela-Chavez. The suspect has a suspended license and is on probation for a prior DUI arrest, according to authorities.

Police said so far it was unknown if alcohol or drugs were a factor in this incident.

Police have not released the name of the victim in the case. Police had initially said the victim was a male.

Pittsburg police will be investigating the case alongside the California Highway Patrol and the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office. No further details were provided.

West Leland Road was closed between Golf Course Road and Daffodil Drive for several hours as a result of the case, police said.

TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

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