Honk News – A man from California is accused of taking Legos from a grocery store and subsequently crashing into a woman’s vehicle while trying to escape from the police, resulting in her immediate death, according to prosecutors.
Todd Spitzer, the District Attorney of Orange County, reported that the event took place on December 18 at an Albertsons grocery store located in Fullerton. A covert officer observed a man, later recognized as 43-year-old Anthony Michael Hanzal, taking boxes of Legos from the shelves and placing them into a bag, as reported by Spitzer.
Hanzal reportedly exited the store without settling the bill. An officer trailed Hanzal in a discreet vehicle and requested a marked patrol car to initiate a traffic stop.
An officer in uniform attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but Hanzal veered onto a different street and accelerated away, according to Spitzer. Hanzal reportedly collided with a vehicle that was halted at a traffic signal and continued to drive, merging onto the westbound State Road 91.
He subsequently left the roadway at Knott Avenue in Buena Park, with authorities pursuing Hanzal into La Palma at speeds exceeding 90 mph, according to Spitzer. Hanzal allegedly reached the intersection of La Palma Avenue and Moody Street and disregarded a red light, colliding with the driver’s side of a vehicle operated by 67-year-old Marianne Mildred Casey.
Spitzer stated that Casey was “instantly killed.” The collision involving the two cars resulted in them impacting additional vehicles, leading to non-life-threatening injuries for the occupants involved.
Spitzer claims that Hanzal was impaired by drugs. The individual faces serious charges of felony gross vehicular manslaughter due to intoxication. He is also charged with evading a peace officer resulting in death and petty theft, having two prior convictions. Hanzal could be sentenced to over 26 years behind bars if found guilty.
Hanzal remains incarcerated at the Orange County Jail with no possibility of bond. The upcoming court appearance is set for January 6.