Oakland, CA (March 20, 2025) – On Thursday, March 20, in the evening, a police pursuit in Oakland ended in a two-vehicle crash.
Accident Details: According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the crash occurred shortly after 6:00 p.m. at the intersection of 105th Avenue and Pearmain Street. The incident began when CHP officers attempted to stop a driver who had run a red light. The driver fled, prompting a short pursuit that CHP quickly called off. Instead of continuing the chase on the ground, authorities had an airplane follow the fleeing vehicle. The suspect later ran a stop sign and collided with another vehicle carrying an adult and two children.
One of the children was found unconscious at the scene and transported to the hospital. The conditions of the other child and the adult remain unclear. The suspect, 35-year-old James Jovan Thomas, was arrested on suspicion of DUI, evading police, and driving with a suspended or revoked license.
Investigation and Legal Considerations: Although the California Highway Patrol reportedly called off the pursuit and monitored the suspect from the air, the driver continued at high speed and ultimately failed to stop at an intersection. Authorities will likely investigate whether the pursuit—even after being officially terminated—contributed to the suspect’s behavior leading up to the collision.
Investigators will also analyze Thomas’s behavior leading up to the collision. Law enforcement is expected to review traffic surveillance footage, police dash cam recordings, crash scene evidence, and witness statements to create a clear timeline of events and determine liability.
If it is found that negligence caused the crash and injuries, the injured child (and the adult and other child if also injured) may have grounds for a personal injury claim.
My thoughts are with the victims and their families as they face the aftermath of this traumatic event.
Source: FOX 2 KTVU