MARGATE, Fla. – An 18-year-old woman was killed early Saturday morning in a car crash while fleeing police in Margate, authorities said.
Coconut Creek police Sgt. Brandi Delvecchio identified the victim Sunday as Abigail Espinoza.
Police said an officer responded to a noise disturbance about 12:30 a.m. Saturday in the 3800 block of Coral Tree Circle in Coconut Creek. While there, the officer said he approached a parked car with a man and a woman inside. The officer said he saw a bottle of liquor in the center console and he smelled marijuana.
Police said the man drove off with the woman when the officer identified himself. The officer radioed a description of the car, and Coconut Creek and Margate police began searching for them.
Authorities said officers attempted to stop the car in the 7600 block of Sample Road, but the driver made a U-turn and fled.
Coconut Creek police said they last spotted the car traveling south down Rock Island Road in Margate at a high rate of speed. About a minute later, police said, the driver lost control of his car and strayed into oncoming traffic. Another vehicle slammed into passenger side of his car, police said.
The female passenger was transported to Broward Health North, but she later died of her injuries. Police said the driver was transported to a local hospital, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Police said the driver of the fleeing car has not yet been charged. He was was not identified by police.