19-year-old chasing hit-and-run driver slams into crowd, hurting 2, California cops say

A 19-year-old who told police he was pursuing a hit-and-run driver barrelled through a crowd of people, injuring two, California cops reported.

Brian Barbatajimaroa faces four charges of assault with a deadly weapon in the incident that occurred Saturday, March 1, the Redwood City Police Department said in a news release.

The Redwood City resident called 911 at 10:06 p.m. to report he was chasing another driver following a hit-and-run accident, police said.

After getting the other driver’s license plate, dispatchers advised Barbatajimaroa to break off the pursuit, police said.

“Despite repeated instructions to stop following the suspect, the caller continued the pursuit, reaching excessive speeds and disregarding traffic signals and rules of the road,” police said.

When the other vehicle pulled over near a crowd of pedestrians, Barbatajimaroa followed the driver into the crowd, “striking several individuals,” police said.

Two people were taken to a hospital with serious injuries, police said.

Police ask anyone with information to call 650-780-7100.

Redwood City is about a 25-mile drive southeast from San Francisco.

This story was originally published March 3, 2025 at 11:17 AM with the headline "19-year-old chasing hit-and-run driver slams into crowd, hurting 2, California cops say."