(KRON) -- Vilamalia Polina Tu’ipulotu and her fiancé, Beaux Tagaloa, were planning their lives together and excited for a summer wedding.
On Sunday, Tu’ipulotu's life suddenly ended in Pittsburg after she was caught in the middle of a high-speed chase that resulted in a crash, her family said. Tagaloa, a college football player, remains in critical condition at a hospital, family members said.
The young couple was on their way home from a family gathering Sunday "when they were struck by another vehicle who was evading the police in a high speed chase," Tu’ipulotu's sister wrote on a verified GoFundMe page.
California Highway Patrol officials said CHP officers were involved in the pursuit. Tu’ipulotu, 22, died at the crash scene.
Polina Tu’ipulotu (Family photo)Tu’ipulotu was a San Mateo native, San Mateo High School graduate, and the youngest of six siblings. Her family affectionately called her the "princess" of the siblings. "Polina was a beautiful person, inside and out. She was loved by everyone who knew her because of her spirit. She was also preparing to marry the love of her life," the page states.
Law enforcement officials have not released the crash victims' names.
California Highway Patrol officials said CHP officers spotted a stolen car speeding more than 100 mph on Highway 4 at 12:40 a.m. Sunday. Officers chased the stolen gray Infiniti sedan as it exited the highway at Railroad Avenue, ran a red light, and fled down surface streets, the CHP said.
Polina Tu’ipulotu (Family photo)Witness Clara Brown told KRON4, "I seen this gray car flying. Seemed like it was going over 100 miles per hour. The police was right behind them."
The pursuit continued until the Infiniti crashed into a blue SUV in Pittsburg. "As the Infiniti approached the intersection of East Leland Road and Gladstone Drive, it collided with an uninvolved vehicle," the CHP told KRON4.
Tu’ipulotu and Tagaloa were inside the SUV that was struck by the fleeing suspect's vehicle, according to family members.
Contra Costa Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Andy Bozzo said, "There were two vehicles involved with heavy damage. Three patients total -- one deceased at this time." Bozzo said the crash was "the result of a pursuit that came off the freeway."
Tu’ipulotu died at the scene. The two drivers -- Tagaloa and the suspect -- were transported to a trauma center with critical injuries.
In this undated family photo, Beaux Tagaloa is seen proposing on one knee to his fiancée.The CHP chase and fatal crash are being investigated by the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office. According to the Pittsburg Police Department, the chase only involved CHP officers. Pittsburg Police Department officers did not join the chase, PPD said.
Instead of helping their youngest sister plan for her summer wedding, the sudden tragedy left Tu’ipulotu's siblings planning for her funeral. The GoFundMe page is raising donations for the victim's funeral expenses. "She was the best little sister, daughter and aunt that anyone could ask for. This was a very unexpected event that has altered our lives forever," her grieving family members wrote.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the page had raised nearly $50,000.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Young woman killed in East Bay CHP chase identified )
Also on site :
- Who Won ‘American Idol’ 2025 Tonight?
- SNL season finale cold open ridicules Trump boasting about ‘pre-bribe’ of $400m Qatar jet
- 'S.W.A.T.' Fans Are 'Over The Moon' After Shemar Moore Reveals 'Best News Ever'