Stolen U-Haul Crash Kills 1, Injures 3 in San Clemente

Two suspects arrested after high-speed chase ends in fatal collision with SUV

Mar. 31, 2026 at 3:50am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered car window or car part from the crash scene, capturing the stark, gritty details of the incident through dramatic lighting and framing.The aftermath of a high-speed chase and fatal crash exposes the harsh realities of reckless criminal behavior on local streets.Orange Today

A stolen U-Haul van being chased by Orange County sheriff's deputies crashed into a Mazda SUV in San Clemente on Monday morning, killing the 53-year-old female driver of the SUV and critically injuring three other women inside. The two suspects in the U-Haul, a 39-year-old man who fled on foot and a 56-year-old man who remained at the scene, were both arrested and are facing multiple charges related to the fatal incident.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the dangers of high-speed police chases in residential areas and the devastating impact they can have on innocent bystanders. It also raises questions about law enforcement protocols for engaging in pursuits and the need for greater safeguards to protect public safety.

The details

According to the Orange County Sheriff's Department, deputies spotted the suspicious U-Haul van with two people inside and no license plates about half a mile from the crash site. When they tried to pull the van over, the driver refused to stop and fled at a high rate of speed. The deputies pursued the van, and less than a minute later, it collided with the Mazda SUV, killing the 53-year-old female driver and critically injuring three other women inside. The passenger in the U-Haul remained at the scene, while the driver fled on foot before being apprehended about half a mile away.

  • The deadly crash happened just before 8 a.m. on Monday, March 31, 2026 near South Ola Vista and Avenida Granada in San Clemente.
  • Deputies first spotted the suspicious U-Haul van about half a mile from the crash site.

The players

Maria Ramirezahmad

A 53-year-old woman from Anaheim who was the driver of the Mazda SUV and was killed in the crash.

Gregorio Horacio Trejochavez

The 56-year-old passenger in the stolen U-Haul van who remained at the scene and was arrested.

Mathew Alexander Ronquillo

The 39-year-old driver of the stolen U-Haul van who fled the scene on foot before being apprehended and arrested.

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What they’re saying

“All of a sudden we heard like an engine rev like crazy, crazy loud in a really quiet residential area.”

— Lafe Isaacson, Witness

“We saw like a brand new U-Haul come flying right by, literally right here, and then a horrendous crash noise, and then the sheriff flew right by as well.”

— Lafe Isaacson, Witness

“There's just a big bang, kind of woke me up out of bed.”

— Tyler Mastracchio, Resident

What’s next

The Orange County Sheriff's Department is continuing its investigation into the fatal crash, including examining the contents of the stolen U-Haul van. The two suspects, Gregorio Horacio Trejochavez and Mathew Alexander Ronquillo, will face charges related to the incident.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the need for law enforcement to carefully weigh the risks of high-speed pursuits in populated areas, as the safety of innocent bystanders must be the top priority. It also highlights the devastating impact that reckless criminal behavior can have on a community.