California man jumped onto truck as it was stolen, died as juvenile thief crashed, sheriff says

A Northern California man was killed Monday after jumping onto the back of his truck when it was reportedly stolen, dying in a fiery wreck as the juvenile thief crashed the vehicle, authorities said.

The victim, Robert Etta, called deputies about 2 a.m. to report his stolen vehicle in Magalia and that he was still inside. But as the 50-year-old was on the phone, dispatchers heard a collision, according to the Butte County Sheriff’s Office.

A minor is accused of stealing the truck near Crescent Drive before Etta jumped on it. The California Highway Patrol and Butte County sheriff’s deputies were called to the scene, the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

The truck was on Carnegie Road when it crashed and caught on fire, spreading flames to vegetation. Cal Fire firefighters arrived to douse the fire, deputies said.

Deputies did not disclose the minor’s age or further circumstances surrounding the collision.

The juvenile was injured in the vehicle collision and taken to a hospital for treatment. The minor was released and held to Butte County Juvenile Hall. He faces a charge of manslaughter, deputies said.

The investigation is ongoing. Witnesses with information may call the Butte County Sheriff’s Office at 530-538-7671.