Police continue to search for driver responsible for high-speed
chase that killed Rudy Martinez
Gilroy – Police continue to search for the teen driver who fled from a traffic stop Friday night, starting a high-speed chase that killed his passenger, 25-year-old Rudy Martinez III.
“We’re still working on it,” said Sgt. Kurt Svardal. Because the suspect is a juvenile, Svardal declined to release his name.
The teen hit the gas pedal Friday night about 9pm, evading an officer who tried to pull him over for an improper left turn at the intersection of Monterey and Fifth streets. He was driving a blue Nissan Altima, recently stolen from San Jose. Jetting through Gilroy at 55 miles per hour, he tore through stop signs and traffic signals, and finally collided with an oncoming van on Church Street, just south of Ronan Avenue. His passenger, Rudy Martinez, was gravely injured. Witnesses say the teen fled southbound on foot, scaling a fence.
Twelve officers combed the neighborhood, aided by a dog, but the teen was not found. Meanwhile, paramedics pulled Martinez from the wreck, loading him into a helicopter. Martinez died before reaching a trauma center.
If caught, the teen driver could face charges ranging from evading an officer to murder.
“[The teen] hit, he ran, and he left my son dead,” said Victoria Diaz, Martinez’ mother. “He should already be locked up.”
Martinez is the oldest of seven siblings, a former Gilroy High student and a father of two: 10-year-old Angel, in Salinas, and 6-year-old Isaiah, in Fresno. A vigil is planned for Friday, with a funeral Mass to follow Saturday.
