Fleeing Suspect Kills Two in Crash
A robbery suspect who led Long Beach police on a chase at more than 85 m.p.h. early Saturday was arrested on suspicion of murder, after his car broadsided another, killing two men, police said.
The suspect, identified as Ueni Wayne Fonoti, 25, of Long Beach, was taken by ambulance to Memorial Medical Center, where he was in satisfactory condition, police said. He was also being held on suspicion of robbery, attempted rape and assault with a deadly weapon.
The names of the victims--one from Westminster, the other’s hometown unknown--were withheld until relatives could be notified.
Fonoti was driving without lights at speeds in excess of 85 m.p.h. when the accident occurred shortly after 1:30 a.m., Lt. Ron Mickelson said.
The chase began after police observed a 27-year-old woman leaving a car near the corner of 1st Street and Alamitos Avenue. The woman told police that the driver tried to rape her, then robbed her and cut her face.
Mickelson said the pursuit was approved by the police field sergeant.
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