Long Beach Boy, 16, Killed By Wrong-Way Driver In Police Chase: Police

COMMERCE, CA— A 16-year-old Long Beach boy was killed when a wrong-way driver fleeing police crashed into another car and slammed into the bench where he was seeing, authorities confirmed Monday.

The crash occurred Saturday night in Commerce, killing Rodolfo Rodriguez III at the scene, according to the California Highway Patrol and the Los Angeles County Office of Medical Examiner.

Another innocent bystander walking in a crosswalk at the time had both legs severed in the crash, according to a watch commander at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's East Los Angeles station. "We're still working backwards to figure out what has happened," the watch commander said at the time of the crash.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the pursuit began at about 11 p.m. Saturday, around Eastern and Florence avenues. Fourteen minutes later, it ended with a two-vehicle crash at Eastern Avenue and Randolph Street.

Two people inside the suspect's vehicle suffered "extensive injuries" and were taken to a hospital. The driver was treated at a hospital before being taken to a county jail, the watch commander said. The conditions and number of occupants inside the other vehicle were not immediately known, he said.

The suspect's name was not immediately released.

As of Tuesday, a GoFundMe was established for the teen's funeral expenses, identifying him as RJ, a beloved sone and brother. More than $1,200 had been raised to help the family bury the boy.

City News Service contributed to this report.