Tina Vital: California woman who died in fiery crash after 13-year-old rammed stolen car into her vehicle identified
WOODLAND, CALIFORNIA: The victims of a tragic car crash in Woodland, California, which left a 43-year-old woman dead and other family members, including a toddler, critical have been identified. A 13-year-old boy driving "erratically" on College Street prior to the crash is under arrest for causing the fiery crash.
Reports state that the incident occurred on Thursday evening, April 6, when the boy, who was driving a stolen black Honda sedan, led police to chase him when he collided with a silver Toyota Camry being driven by Tina Vital, a resident of Woodland. Vital was driving with her daughter, 24-year-old son, and five-year-old granddaughter.
READ MORE
Two Texas men with a BABY in car lead police on high-speed chase through residential area
8-week-old puppy 'miraculously unharmed' after being tossed out of moving car during LAPD pursuit
The 13-year-old has been arrested on charges of vehicular manslaughter
Vital was pronounced dead at the scene while 10 people, including three children, were transported to the hospital, KCRA reported. Jhonny, the 24-year-old man, and his five-year-old child were reported to be critical in ICU. The juvenile driver was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and evading police, reports said. Victor Ramirez, Tina's brother, told ABC 10 that family members were in critical but stable condition.
Woodland Police Department witnessed seeing the Honda being driven erratically prior to the crash and the driver attempting to flee the scene afterward. The boy, whose identity has not been released due to his age, is currently being held at the Yolo County Juvenile Detention Center.
This afternoon, a Woodland PD officer spotted a vehicle being driven erratically. The officer attempted to pull the vehicle over and then pursued the car to the intersection of College and Court Streets. The car collided with two other vehicles causing two cars to catch fire.
— Woodland Police Department (@WoodlandPD) April 9, 2023
'It's just a tragic event'
While speaking to CBS Sacramento, Sgt Dallas Hyde of the Woodland Police Department, expressed condolences to the victim's family, stating: "It's just a tragic event. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the victim." He also emphasized the importance of driver education and safety, particularly for young drivers, saying: "It's very important that we teach our youth the rules of the road, how to be safe, and how to drive safely."
'She was a wonderful neighbor'
The tragic incident has left the community of Woodland in shock and mourning. A neighbor of the victim, who wished to remain anonymous, spoke about the impact of the loss: "She was a wonderful neighbor, always kind and friendly. We'll miss her dearly." Another resident expressed concern about the driver's age in the crash, saying: "It's really scary to think that someone so young was driving and caused this kind of tragedy."
Vital had just gotten a Class A license to drive a truck to help support her family
ABC 10 reported Vital had just gotten a Class A license to drive a truck to help support her family. To support Tinas' family, her funeral, and also her young children with medical bills and treatment they are getting in a local hospital a GoFundMe has been set up. The fundraiser has received $14,901 for the set goal of $12,000.