Watch CBS News

Woman Fatally Struck By Car Fleeing From Pittsburg Police Identified

PITTSBURG (CBS SF) -- The Contra Costa County coroner's office has identified a woman struck and killed by a driver fleeing from police in Pittsburg on Tuesday morning as 65-year-old Linda Cochran.

The incident began around 7:45 a.m. Tuesday when a Pittsburg police officer saw a suspect, later identified as Aroldo Vela-Chavez, 26, of Concord, speeding on eastbound West Leland Road, according to police.

When the officer tried to pull over the vehicle, Vela-Chavez allegedly accelerated and headed into heavy commute traffic, prompting the officer to call off the pursuit, police said.

Less than a mile away, at West Leland and Golf Club roads, Cochran was struck while walking along a sidewalk. Vela-Chavez's vehicle then crashed through the fence at Delta View Golf Course, according to police.

Cochran, a Pittsburg resident, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Vela-Chavez allegedly continued onto the golf course before abandoning the vehicle on foot. He was later found and taken into custody several blocks away on Dover Way, police said.

He was driving on a suspended license for a prior DUI arrest and was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of murder, vehicular manslaughter and evading police, police Capt. Ron Raman said.

Raman said police are still investigating whether impaired driving played a role in the case.

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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.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.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.