Timothy Shchultz and Christopher Teagardin Killed in Stolen Vehicle Crash on Lanark Street [Panorama City, CA]

2 Dead in Panorama City Pursuit Accident on Lanark Street and Woodman Avenue

PANORAMA CITY, CA (February 1, 2023) – Tuesday night, Timothy Shchultz and Christopher Teagardin died in a crash on Lanark Street and Woodman Avenue.

The incident began with a report of a stolen vehicle at about 7:35 p.m. near the 10600 block of El Dorado Avenue.

Then, the 32-year-old driver, Oscar Delacruz, struck the victim’s vehicle, a silver sedan. The crash happened near the intersection of Lanark Street and Woodman Avenue.

“At the time the suspect was fleeing from officers, as the air unit came overhead. That suspect struck a vehicle that was going northbound on Woodman Avenue. And, tragically, the two people that were inside of that vehicle have passed away as a result of that traffic collision with the suspect,” Los Angeles Police Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton revealed.

The impact completely damaged both vehicles.

Then, officers confirmed that the sedan’s driver died at the scene. Meanwhile, the sedan’s passenger later died from their injuries.

Meanwhile, the suspect’s truck contained two people, both of whom survived the collision.

After the incident, Delacruz tried to escape but officers from the Foothill Division deployed a stun gun and take-down tactics to quickly detain the suspect.

Then, responders transported both Delacruz and the passenger in the truck to the hospital. Furthermore, officers confirmed that Delacruz will face murder charges. He is being held without bail.

“This is a very tragic incident,” stated Hamilton. “Unfortunately, we try to conduct these incidents where we go on pursuit as safely as possible, with all the tools that we have. That’s why we request an air unit right away. That’s why we go into tracking mode just as soon as we can, but at the same time, we have to balance that with a community member who has requested the police department to respond because their vehicle is being stolen.”

We understand that losing a loved one is never easy. Our law firm would like to express our heartfelt sympathies to those mourning the death of Timothy Shchultz and Christopher Teagardin.

What Follows the Fatal Panorama Pursuit Accident

It is clear now more than ever that one person’s negligence can have devastating effects on other individuals. This is quite common in accidents that result in death. Therefore, the family of the victim must become aware that they have the authority to file a wrongful death suit.

Indeed, a suit forces liable parties to become accountable for their actions.

“The last thing most families want to deal with is piles of paperwork. Even questions from insurance companies and obtaining police reports can be stressful,” says Mark Sweet, an attorney at Sweet Lawyers.

Turning to an experienced attorney can provide you with peace of mind. By hiring representation, you will also have someone make sure that your rights are respected, and that justice is properly served.

Losing a loved one can be distressing for your family and those involved, to say the least. You may have a chance to obtain justice and the means needed to cover unexpected monetary, physical, and emotional damages. With 40 years of practice, Sweet Lawyers is confident that we can tackle your wrongful death lawsuit and help you recover. Our lawyers are here to guide you during your legal battle. Sweet Lawyers are no strangers to wrongful death cases. For a free case evaluation, call (800) 674 7852.