Stockton, CA (January 5, 2025) – A high-speed pursuit in Stockton early Sunday morning ended in tragedy, claiming the lives of three individuals.
Accident Details: According to the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began around 1 a.m. when deputies attempted to stop a stolen vehicle near Wilson Way and Harding Way. The driver, identified as 28-year-old Alejo Elias Jr. of Stockton, refused to comply and sped away. The pursuit ended when the stolen vehicle collided with an uninvolved car at the intersection of Airport Way and Hazelton Avenue. Both occupants of the uninvolved vehicle, 61-year-old Darren Hickerson and 52-year-old Anissa Lawson, also of Stockton, were killed. Elias also lost his life in the crash.
Legal Considerations: As a personal injury attorney, I find that this tragedy raises critical legal questions about negligence and responsibility. Drivers have a legal duty to stop when instructed by law enforcement. By fleeing from the police and driving at high speeds, Alejo Elias Jr. violated this duty and demonstrated reckless disregard for the safety of others. His decision to evade law enforcement created a risk of harm, ultimately causing the deaths of Darren Hickerson and Anissa Lawson, who were traveling in an uninvolved vehicle.
The families of Hickerson and Lawson may have grounds for wrongful death claims against Elias’s estate. Such claims could argue that Elias’s negligent and unlawful actions directly caused the collision and the devastating loss of life, allowing the families to seek compensation for their emotional and financial losses.
In addition to Elias’s actions, the circumstances surrounding the law enforcement pursuit merit close examination. High-speed pursuits are governed by strict protocols that balance the need to apprehend suspects with public safety. If the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office did not adhere to these guidelines—such as continuing the pursuit under conditions that posed an unreasonable risk to others—the department may share responsibility for the crash.
My sincerest condolences are with all those affected by this tragedy. Losing a loved one is devastating, and I hope they find the support they need.
Source: KCRA