Vehicle Theft Victim Struck and Killed by Responding Sheriff's Patrol Vehicle

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HESPERIA – A deputy attempting catch a vehicle thief and recover a stolen truck, struck and killed the victim of the theft accidentally on Wednesday.

At around 12:30 a.m. deputies from the Hesperia Station were dispatched to a call of a vehicle being stolen from the Hidden Tavern, located on Main Street in the City of Hesperia. The owner of the stolen vehicle, identified as Patrick Chambers, 18, of Hesperia, was the passenger in his friend’s Camaro when he located his stolen truck being driven eastbound on Main Street. The two began following as they called authorities to assist in the recovery of his vehicle.

The deputy activated his lights and siren attempting to stop the vehicle. The driver attempted to turn south on E Avenue and lost control of the vehicle, exited the vehicle and fled on foot from the scene. The driver of the Camaro stopped in the eastbound lanes of Main Street, got out of the vehicle and started to chase the suspect. Chambers got out of the vehicle and stood beside the door of the Camaro as the deputy approached in his patrol car. “Unbeknownst to the responding deputy, the stolen vehicle had a mechanical malfunction causing the vehicle to deposit engine oil on the roadway for approximately 1000 feet,” Hesperia Sheriff’s officials said in a written statement. “As the deputy attempted to stop near the Camaro, the patrol car slid and was unable to stop, hitting the passenger side of the Camaro and striking Patrick Chambers.”

The deputy immediately called for medical aid and began CPR on Chambers, but despite lifesaving efforts, he died at the scene. The driver of the Camaro detained the vehicle theft suspect, Jordan Lee Pence, 20, of Hesperia and deputies took him into custody. Pence was arrested for Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Possession of Stolen Property. He is scheduled to be arraigned at the Victorville Superior Court on Friday afternoon and meanwhile, is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail. According to sheriff’s officials, Pence had numerous other arrest warrants including those for narcotics violations, traffic-related incidents and a felony warrant for Possession of Stolen Property with $50,000 bail.

The family of Chambers is asking the community for help with the costs associated with his untimely death. They have started a Go Fund Me Account in order to collect any donations.

The Region II Major Accident Investigation Team is investigating the collision. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact the Hesperia Station at (760)947-1500. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.