A man who led local authorities last week in Fullerton, Buena Park and La Palma was trying to get away from a Lego bull at a Fullerton grocery store, prosecutors said this week.
During the chase, the suspect allegedly ran a red light in La Palma and hit a 67-year-old driver, who died.
Anthony Michael Hanzal, 43, of Anaheim has been charged with three counts: vehicular manslaughter, petit larceny and fatally eluding a police officer. He was reportedly under the influence of drugs at the time of the incident, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office.
Hanzal was a second rate offender — someone who received two “strikes” for serious or violent crimes under California's three-strikes law, prosecutors said. A first strike may increase the sentence for a second offense, while a third strike could mean 25 years to life in prison.
On December 18, an off-duty Fullerton officer said he saw Hanzal put boxes of Legos in a bag at Fullerton Albertsons, then leave without paying. The officer called for a marked police car to stop, which is when Hanzal sped off, according to the release.
Hanzal allegedly ran another red light before entering the westbound 91 Freeway toward Buena Park. Police chased Hanzal all the way to La Palma, where speeds reached 90 kilometers per hour on La Palma Avenue, prosecutors said. Hanzal ran a red light at the intersection of La Palma Avenue and Moody Street, running into the driver's side of 67-year-old Marianne Casey's car. The impact killed him instantly, according to the report. The accident pushed both cars into other drivers and injured others who were present.
A video of the accident obtained by ABC 7 shows a white Nissan Rogue SUV running a red light, causing a side impact, or T-bone, collision with the deceased woman's blue BMW. Another SUV that was waiting at the opposite light was pushed to the side of the road after the accident.
Currently being held without bail and facing a maximum sentence of 26 years and four months if convicted on all charges, Hanzal is scheduled to appear in court in Fullerton on Jan. 6.
Hanzal could not be reached for comment.
“Enough is enough. Actions have consequences and I'm mad as hell that an old lady is dead because a repeat drug thief decided to steal Legos from a store and lead multiple police agencies on a high speed chase in Orange County during the day,” Orange County Dist. Todd Spitzer said. he said in the release.
Source link
