Orange County, California – The tragic incident occurred on March 8, 2024, when officers from the Orange Police Department responded to reports of a stolen vehicle.
Upon stopping the vehicle, police found three people on board, including the 18-year-old driver identified as Izaiah Joseph Miranda, and two teenagers from the Orangewood Children’s Home, according to a press release from the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
Two of the teenagers initially complied with police orders to exit the car. However, 15-year-old Denisse Pilego Roman suddenly jumped into the front passenger seat as Miranda accelerated and fled.
During the pursuit, Miranda reached speeds of up to 120 miles per hour on the 22 freeway while being chased from Orange to Long Beach. After running a red light, his vehicle was struck by another car, triggering a crash that left the teenager critically injured.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer deeply regretted the incident, stating: “A 15-year-old girl is dead because she chose to get back into a stolen vehicle with a driver who attempted to flee from police at speeds in excess of 120 miles per hour.”
Miranda faces a series of serious charges, including vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, hit-and-run causing permanent injury or death, reckless evasion causing death, child abuse, and endangerment, among others. If found guilty, he could face up to 12 years and four months in state prison.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the dangers associated with reckless driving and lack of accountability. The loss of a young life is devastating and should motivate everyone to drive with caution and respect traffic laws at all times.
