Two killed in Gilroy police chase crash

Stolen vehicle fled from officers, ran red light before fatal collision

Apr. 14, 2026 at 7:33pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of shattered car window glass reflecting the harsh light of a camera flash, conceptually representing the aftermath of a high-speed crash.The aftermath of a deadly police chase exposes the grim realities of property crime and the dangers of high-speed pursuits.Morgan Hill Today

Two people died after the driver of a stolen truck they were traveling in crashed into a light pole in Gilroy during a police chase that started in Morgan Hill. The vehicle ran a red light and collided with a center median before overturning, ejecting all three occupants.

Why it matters

High-speed police chases can put innocent bystanders at risk, and this incident highlights the dangers of such pursuits as well as the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in addressing property crimes and vehicle thefts in the region.

The details

Just after midnight on April 14, police received an alert about a stolen vehicle from Hollister. Gilroy Police spotted the truck but it fled the city limits before they could initiate a traffic stop. Morgan Hill Police later located the vehicle and attempted to pull it over, but the driver refused to yield. The chase continued back into Gilroy, where the stolen truck ran a red light at an intersection and then crashed into a center median and light pole, overturning and ejecting all three occupants.

  • On April 14 around 12:00 AM, police received an alert about a stolen vehicle.
  • Police in Morgan Hill attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver fled.
  • The chase continued into Gilroy, where the vehicle ran a red light and crashed around 12:30 AM.

The players

Morgan Hill Police Department

The law enforcement agency that initially spotted and pursued the stolen vehicle.

Gilroy Police Department

The law enforcement agency that received the initial alert about the stolen vehicle.

California Highway Patrol

The agency investigating the fatal crash.

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What’s next

The California Highway Patrol will continue investigating the cause of the crash and determining if any charges will be filed.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the risks and difficult decisions law enforcement face when pursuing stolen vehicles, as high-speed chases can lead to devastating consequences for both suspects and innocent bystanders. It also highlights the ongoing challenges communities face in addressing property crimes and vehicle thefts.