VAN NUYS (CNS) - An ex-convict accused of leading police on a pursuit and causing a crash in Panorama City that left two fathers dead pleaded not guilty Monday to murder and other charges.
Oscar De La Cruz, 32, is charged with two counts each of murder and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, along with one count each of fleeing a pursuing peace officer's motor vehicle causing death, fleeing a pursuing peace officer's motor vehicle while driving recklessly, driving or taking a vehicle without consent and hit-and-run driving resulting in death or serious injury to another person.
The criminal complaint alleges that De La Cruz has four prior convictions for assault with a deadly weapon, vandalism, carjacking and burglary -- the latter from February 2022.
The charges stem from a Jan. 31 collision that killed Chris Teagardin, 46, and Tim Schultz, 49, who were longtime friends.
Police indicated that officers who were following a stolen black Toyota Tacoma pickup truck had broken off the pursuit and gone into "tracking" mode -- with a police helicopter overhead. The suspect subsequently identified as De La Cruz continued driving at high speed driving north on Woodman Avenue, where the vehicle crashed into a Honda Civic containing the victims, according to police.
De La Cruz, who was on parole, allegedly climbed out of the stolen vehicle and was taken into custody after fleeing on foot, police said.
He has remained in custody since then, according to jail records.
Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore said shortly after the crash that the agency would investigate to ensure officers followed proper procedures in the chase.
"To the public that looks to the circumstances of why the department was pursuing that individual, was it consistent with our policies and expectations, we will have more information on that as the information becomes known," the police chief said then.
Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Related
Related
