One teen arrested, another sought in Lodi double-fatality crash

A driver has been arrested and his passenger is being sought in connection with a double-fatality crash in which the passenger was captured on video running from the scene in Lodi.

The crash occurred at 8 p.m. Monday on Lodi Avenue near Pleasant Avenue. Two vehicles were damaged, and a light pole was toppled.

One of the vehicles was reported stolen and police found a firearm inside.

In the video, the passenger exits one crashed car and runs from the scene. Steam or smoke is still wafting from the crash in the video that appears to have been taken by a witness with a cellphone.

The recording follows the man as he runs from the area. Witnesses can be seen waving for help and someone, perhaps the videographer, could be heard saying, “Oh, my gosh.”

Lodi police Sgt. Michael Manetti said an officer nearby saw the crash and responded. Manetti said the stolen vehicle was traveling north on Pleasant Avenue when the driver ran a stop sign. The stolen car collided with another car traveling east on Lodi Avenue.

Police said the driver of the stolen car ran away and was caught by the officer in a nearby parking lot. The 16-year-old driver was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, driving under the influence, possession of a stolen vehicle and possession of a stolen firearm.

The 62-year-old male driver and his 42-year-old male passenger in the vehicle that was hit died from their injuries.

Officers believe they know the identity of the teen who fled the crash and caution that he could be armed.

This story was originally published April 26, 2016 at 6:23 AM.