Jeep fled traffic stop and struck Honda sedan at Bradford and Madison avenues
January 21, 2026 | Placentia, CA
A 59-year-old Placentia resident lost his life in a collision involving a Jeep driven by a suspect evading law enforcement.
Darwin Felipe Bahamon Martinez faces felony evading and vehicular manslaughter charges after a police pursuit crash at Madison and Bradford avenues in Placentia.
What Happened in the Crash?
Police from the Anaheim Police Department spotted 21-year-old Darwin Felipe Bahamon Martinez operating a Jeep Gladiator near Mira Loma and Lawrence avenues around 7:41 p.m. on Jan. 21. Officers attempted a traffic stop, and Martinez briefly pulled over before accelerating away as they neared the vehicle.
The chase led to a high-speed pursuit, ending when Martinez's Jeep struck a Honda sedan at the Madison and Bradford avenues intersection in Placentia. Local Placentia officers, uninvolved in the pursuit, responded quickly and called for emergency services from the Placentia Fire and Life Safety Department.
The Honda driver was declared deceased at the scene. Authorities charged Martinez with felony evading resulting in injury or death, along with vehicular manslaughter.
- Date and Time: Jan. 21, approximately 7:41 p.m.
- Location: Intersection of Madison and Bradford avenues, Placentia, CA
- Vehicles Involved: Jeep Gladiator, suspect, and Honda sedan, victim
- Agencies: Anaheim Police Department, pursuit, Placentia Police Department, response
- Outcome: One fatality, and the suspect charged
Why Do Police Pursuit Crashes Occur?
When law enforcement signals a motorist to stop, compliance is required by law. Non-compliance escalates situations into pursuits, which carry significant risks. Investigations often review whether officers adhered to chase protocols to minimize dangers.
Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows fatal incidents tied to police pursuits reached 455 in 2020, the most since 2007's 372 deaths. Such statistics highlight the need for thorough examinations of these crashes.
Year |
Fatal Police Pursuit Crashes |
Source |
|---|
2007 |
372 |
NHTSA |
2020 |
455 |
NHTSA |
Legal Insights
In motor vehicle incidents involving pursuits, independent reviews play a crucial role in uncovering contributing factors.
“Time is of the essence in cases such as this, and a family must ensure that evidence is reviewed efficiently,” said Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal and national analyst for Newsline. “In addition to the diligent work of law enforcement, an attorney will carefully examine what may have contributed to the crash and has the resources to hire witnesses, conduct driver background checks, locate witnesses to the crash, and review applicable insurance coverage. Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide a client during this difficult time, while vigorously protecting their legal rights and best interests.”
- Conduct prompt investigations to preserve evidence.
- Hire specialists for technical analysis.
- Verify insurance and liability details.
- Support families through legal proceedings.
Wrongful Death Considerations
Relatives of those killed in such tragedies may pursue claims for wrongful death. These can cover losses like companionship, emotional distress, and suffering.
“We understand just what families are forced to go through, and having their rights protected is vital,” said Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal. “A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that their best interests are taken care of. Relatives of wrongful death victims are entitled to seek damages for the loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a tragic or catastrophic accident.”
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Have you experienced a similar accident and need guidance? Contact national legal analyst Candice Bond at Newsline for a free, no-obligation consultation today.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).