A retail theft suspect who died last month in Escondido during a police pursuit crash has been identified by the Medical Examiner’s Office as Shevondia Compare-Bell, 18.
On Dec. 18 three suspects, two women and one man, were reported to be involved in a theft from Dick’s Sporting Goods store on Auto Park Way, according to Escondido police.
The suspects left the store in a pickup truck which was reportedly stolen. When police arrived a high-speed chase ensued. The chase ended when the driver lost control and failed to maneuver a turn onto Fig Street from Washington Avenue and crashed into a concrete barrier.
Compare-Bell, a San Diego resident, was one of the two women who were ejected from the truck.
The other female suspect was injured.
The driver was identified as Lance Cpl. John Eugene Brand, a Marine based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
Brand was arrested and faces charges of gross vehicular manslaughter, evading causing death and causing great bodily injured. Brand has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
