14-year-old boy killed as 17-year-old driver fleeing police crashes, CA cops say

A 14-year-old boy died after a Kia Sol driven by a 17-year-old fleeing police crashed and rolled over, California authorities reported.

All four teens inside the vehicle were ejected in the crash in Petaluma at 10:18 p.m. Saturday, July 19, Santa Rosa police said in a news release.

Santa Rosa police and the California Highway Patrol are investigating the crash, which took place during a pursuit by the Petaluma Police Department.

Officers responding to reports of a possible drunken driver at a Petaluma gas station found the black Kia Sol about three minutes before the crash on a nearby road and tried to pull it over, police said.

The car sped away, swerving into oncoming traffic and sideswiping another vehicle, before rolling over, police said.

All four teens inside the vehicle were ejected, police said. A 14-year-old boy died and the three others, ages 15, 16 and 17, were taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Detectives identified the 17-year-old as the driver, police said. He faces charges of vehicular manslaughter, evading causing great bodily injury or death and driving while under the influence causing great bodily injury or death.

Santa Rosa police ask anyone with information to call 707-543-3590.

Petaluma is about a 40-mile drive northwest from San Francisco.

This story was originally published July 21, 2025 at 12:00 PM with the headline "14-year-old boy killed as 17-year-old driver fleeing police crashes, CA cops say."