Marianne Mildred Casey Obituary, Death – On Wednesday, police confirmed the identity of the woman tragically killed in a violent car crash at the conclusion of a high-speed pursuit in La Palma. The victim, 67-year-old Marianne Mildred Casey from La Palma, was fatally injured when her blue BMW collided with a suspect’s vehicle. The suspect, 43-year-old Anthony Hanzal, had been attempting to flee from authorities after allegedly stealing items from an Albertsons grocery store.
The chain of events leading to the deadly crash began just after 12:30 p.m. when officers from the Fullerton Police Department initiated a pursuit. Police had received a report of a theft at the Albertsons located near the intersection of North Gilbert Street and West Malvern Avenue. Responding to the call, officers attempted to pull over a white Nissan Rogue driven by Hanzal. However, the suspect refused to stop and sped away, leading officers on a pursuit that eventually took them onto the westbound 91 Freeway.
As the chase progressed, Hanzal’s driving became increasingly reckless. Authorities reported that during the pursuit, the suspect was involved in a hit-and-run crash near the intersection of Brookhurst Road and Orangethorpe Avenue in Fullerton. Despite the collision, Hanzal continued to evade police, which ultimately led to the fatal crash in La Palma.
In La Palma, Casey’s car was struck by Hanzal’s vehicle, resulting in her death. The incident has since been classified as a tragic outcome of the pursuit. The crash is being investigated by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, which has also indicated that additional charges may be brought against Hanzal due to the fatality.
Hanzal was arrested and booked on several charges, including petty theft, felony evading, and hit-and-run. The investigation into the incident remains ongoing, and authorities are continuing to gather evidence related to both the theft and the crash.
The fatal crash has raised questions about the dangers of police pursuits, with many expressing concern over the risks posed to innocent bystanders. The authorities have emphasized that while they must follow protocol in pursuit of suspects, public safety remains a top priority in such high-speed chases.
As of now, the investigation is focused on gathering further details surrounding the events that led to the tragic loss of Marianne Mildred Casey. The police department is also reviewing body camera footage and dashcam recordings from the pursuit to better understand the circumstances of the chase and the subsequent crash.
Casey’s family has expressed their devastation at the loss of a beloved family member. Tributes have poured in from the community, with many remembering her as a kind and gentle person who had a strong presence in the La Palma area. Her death has left a void in the local community, with many calling for greater scrutiny of police pursuit protocols to ensure that innocent lives are not put at risk in such situations.
Hanzal remains in custody as the investigation continues, and more charges could be added depending on the results of the sheriff’s department’s inquiry into the crash. Authorities have yet to confirm if alcohol or drugs played a role in the crash, but they are exploring all possible contributing factors as they seek to build a complete picture of the events leading to Casey’s death.
This incident is a stark reminder of the dangers that can arise when suspects attempt to evade law enforcement, and it highlights the impact that high-speed chases can have on the safety of the public. As the investigation unfolds, authorities are likely to review their policies surrounding vehicle pursuits to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
In the meantime, Marianne Mildred Casey’s family and friends are left grieving her loss, while the community grapples with the aftermath of the deadly crash. The tragic incident serves as a painful reminder of the risks that come with fleeing from law enforcement and the unintended consequences that can result.