Woman killed, fiancé injured in Pittsburg crash involving fleeing driver
The Brief
A 22-year-old woman was killed and her fiancé was injured when a suspect fleeing California Highway Patrol officers slammed into their SUV.
The suspect was driving a stolen car that had been going 100 mph on Highway 4 before the crash, according to the CHP.
Loved ones of the victims said the couple had recently gotten engaged
PITTSBURG, Calif. - The family of a 22-year-old woman is mourning her death after the car she and her fiancé were in was struck by a suspect fleeing from California Highway Patrol officers in Pittsburg over the weekend.
It happened in an instant on Sunday. The driver of a stolen car, who was being chased by CHP officers, crashed into an SUV, killing Vilamalia Polina Tuipulotu and injuring her fiancé, 23-year-old Beaux Tagaloa.
Tagaloa, a former Cal football player and football coach at Diablo Valley College, remains in critical condition at a hospital.
The couple were engaged.
"She was a radiant soul that touched everyone's hearts," said Tuipulotu's sister, Emily Tuipulotu. "She had a welcoming spirit. She was known for her beautiful smile."
What we know
The couple was on their way home from a family gathering when their SUV was hit by the suspect's stolen Infiniti near East Leland Road and Gladstone Drive at about 12:45 a.m. Sunday.
The suspect had been spotted by two CHP officers in a marked patrol car, allegedly driving more than 100 mph on Highway 4.
The officers pursued the Infiniti as it exited onto Railroad Avenue in Pittsburg and ran a red light.
The chase lasted about a minute before the suspect crashed into the couple, who had gotten engaged last year.
What they're saying
"This is a difficult question, but the bottom line is, the law should stand on the side of the innocent bystanders," said KTVU legal analyst Michael Cardoza.
At the same time, however, Cardoza said the suspect is responsible for setting the tragic events in motion.
"I know a lot of people are going to focus on the police and make the police the bad guy in this situation, but I think we should all focus on the driver of that stolen vehicle," Cardoza said.
In a statement to KTVU, Pittsburg Mayor Jelani Killings said, "My heart and prayers go out to the families impacted by this tragic incident. My deepest condolences for their loss. This is an unfortunate and difficult situation for our community to process."
Henry Lee is a KTVU crime reporter. E-mail Henry at Henry.Lee@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @henrykleeKTVU and www.facebook.com/henrykleefan
The Source
Interviews with loved ones of the victims, legal analyst Michael Cardoza, and previous reporting.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Marvin Boomer's family to sue CHP, city over crash that killed Oakland teacher
The Brief An attorney for Marvin Boomer's family says they plan to sue Oakland, CHP and the driver involved in a crash that killed the popular teacher last week. The crash involved a car that had been pursued by CHP moments earlier. The announcement followed a memorial service Friday afternoon celebrating Boomer's life. OAKLAND, Calif. - Loved ones of cherished Castlemont High School teacher Marvin Boomer slammed police Friday, announcing they're planning legal action over an Oakland crash that took his life last week. It stemmed from a California Highway Patrol chase through a residential neighborhood. The family's attorney, Michelle Barnard, told KTVU late Friday afternoon, "We are planning legal action and expect to file suit in the next week." She said "the driver, the City of Oakland, CHP and possibly OPD" would be named in the lawsuit. What they're saying "Marvin Boomer Jr. should be alive today," said Bernard. In a press conference Friday, those close to Boomer called his death an injustice. "He died a hero, and we will not allow that heroism to be silenced by bureaucratic excuses or policy failures cloaked in blue," said Bernard. The backstory On May 28, Boomer, 40, was walking with his partner, Nina Woodruff, on East 21st Street. A car came careening toward them. He pushed her to safety as a fire hydrant hit him. "My physical pain is nothing compared to where my heart is, it's broken," said Woodruff. The car that injured Woodruff and killed Boomer was being pursued by CHP, which says they called off the chase moments before the crash. The driver, Eric Hernandez-Garcia, was arrested. "It's not fair to any of us that we have to live on streets that are inhabited by behaviors like this," said Woodruff. Loved ones believe a chase like this--and the deadly crash that followed--would never have happened in a more affluent neighborhood. "What happened to my brother was senseless, tragic, reckless. Our family is completely heartbroken," said Tynesha Boomer, Marvin Boomer's sister. Inside Acts Full Gospel Church in Oakland, a memorial service paid tribute to Boomer's life and legacy. Local perspective "He's a gem, just a one-of-a-kind person," said Castlemont High School principal Joseph Blasher. "He could have taken his PhD anywhere. Instead, he planted himself right in Oakland, because he believed that education changes everything, and it does," said Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee. Colleagues say the cherished math teacher saw something in his students that few others did: potential. "I regret that he's not going to be the one delivering so many amazing things to so many amazing people that we work with," said Blasher. "That was my baby," said Marvin Boomer's mother, Dorothenia Martin Boomer. "That was my son, my only. My beloved." The Boomer family now says they will honor his memory by fighting for justice and change. "You may not be here, but your work will continue," said Marvin Boomer, Sr. What's next CHP and the City of Oakland both declined to comment on the planned lawsuit. Hernandez-Garcia is expected to enter a plea on vehicular manslaughter and other charges later this month. The Source Original KTVU reporting
CBS News
12 hours ago
- CBS News
Family, community mourn Oakland teacher killed by vehicle fleeing CHP
Family, friends, and students gathered at an East Oakland church Friday afternoon to honor the life of Dr. Marvin Boomer Jr., a Castlemont High School teacher who was killed in a crash last month. Boomer's partner, Nina Woodruff, spoke through tears at the emotional memorial service at Acts Full Gospel Church, recounting the night of the tragedy and their deep connection. "He called me Mrs. Everything, and I called him Dr./Mr. Wonderful Boomer," Woodruff said. The couple had been out for an evening walk near the intersection of East 21st Street and 12th Avenue when an out-of-control car struck them on the sidewalk. Woodruff, who is still recovering from her injuries, believes Boomer saved her life. "I'm hurt, and my physical pain is nothing compared to where my heart is. It's broken," she said. Authorities said the driver, Eric Hernandez Garcia, lost control of the vehicle while fleeing from the California Highway Patrol. The CHP said its officers had already ended the pursuit before the crash occurred. "We had no idea what we were walking into. It's reckless. It's not fair," said Woodruff. "There's enough blame to go around to everyone that participated in what happened to my Mr. Wonderful." Boomer's family echoed her pain, directing anger toward law enforcement and the circumstances surrounding his death. "What happened to my brother was senseless, tragic, reckless," said his sister Tynesha Boomer. "Our family is completely heartbroken. It doesn't make any sense what happened. It makes zero sense." Boomer was a beloved teacher at Castlemont High School, where he was known for his passion for education and commitment to serving students in underserved communities. "Marvin loved his community. He was driven by his desire to want to help people," said his father, Marvin Boomer Sr. "He loved Oakland. He loved his students," added his mother, Tina Boomer. During the open-casket service, which was attended by students, colleagues, and community members, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee read a proclamation in Boomer's honor. "He taught math, yes, but what he really taught was possibility - that an equation can open a door, and that a seed can grow into a meal, and yes, that a paycheck can grow into a career," said Lee. Woodruff said she is drawing strength from the many students Boomer mentored and inspired during his career. "It's not fair. It's not right. I'm angry," she said. The Boomer family's attorney, Michelle Bernard, announced that the family plans to file a civil lawsuit in the coming weeks. The suit will be directed at the driver, the CHP, and possibly the City of Oakland.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘Be like Boomer': Oakland teacher mourned at large memorial service
OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON) — Castlemont High School teacher Marvin Boomer was honored and remembered by family members, students, friends, and city leaders Friday during a large memorial service at Acts Full Gospel Church in Oakland. Boomer was killed in May 28, just two days before his senior students received their diplomas at Castlemont High School's graduation ceremony. Boomer and his girlfriend, Nina, were out on an evening stroll May 28 when a stolen car zoomed through an Oakland neighborhood and crashed into them on a sidewalk, investigators said. Less than a minute before the crash, the teenaged driver was chased by California Highway Patrol officers. The teacher pushed his girlfriend out of the direct path of a car that slammed into Boomer, according to a home surveillance video reviewed by KRON4 and a statement from his family. His family described the act of heroism as 'a final act of love and selflessness,' his family wrote. East Oakland community members were invited to attend the church service, which was also livestreamed by Acts Full Gospel Church. Nina was emotional as she talked about the love of her life. 'I called him 'Mr. Wonderful.' Marvin and I shared something special, it was rare. It was deeply rooted in honesty, intention, and love. We knew everything about each other, not just the easy parts, but the hard truths,' Nina said. She also spoke about the tragedy, and remembered seeing a CHP patrol car racing by. 'We didn't even know what we were walking into. Speeding through neighborhoods, high speed chases through residential neighborhoods, should not be commonplace in the city that I love. I was raised in East Oakland. It's sad to say I lost the love of my life in Oakland. And I'm mad. It was preventable. No one should have to endure this,' Nina said. The math teacher is remembered for taking students under his wings as Castlemont's College and Career Pathways Coach, as well as making 'being smart cool,' friends said. Boomer had recently completed his Ph.D in Educational Research and Policy Analysis. One of the teacher's best friends stood up in the church and said, 'Be like Boomer.' Students said their teacher cared about them, he could turn any bad day around into a good day, and he was always smiling. One Castlemont student said she had promised Boomer that she would return a stuffed bear that she borrowed from school after she graduated. The recent graduate gave the stuffed bear to his family on Friday. 'Dr. Boomer was more than a teacher — he was a mentor, a friend, and a source of strength and inspiration in the halls of Castlemont. His legacy will live on in the school community and in the countless lives he helped shape,' Oakland Unified School District officials wrote. Family members decided to have an open-casket viewing Friday because the teacher had a widespread impact spreading his joy for learning and education. A verified GoFundMe page is raising donations to honor Boomer's legacy. Nina said, 'I am grateful to have known him. I hope you will use his life as a call to action. To smile every day. Use his life as a light to be your best self.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
