Three teens in the stolen car were badly hurt as investigators review the pursuit and crash.
OAKLEY, CA — A 50-year-old nurse was killed in Oakley when a stolen car driven by teenagers slammed into his Tesla at a major intersection, authorities said, in a crash that happened within seconds of police ending a short pursuit. Four other people were taken to hospitals.
The victim was identified by the Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office as Erwin Queja De La Cruz, an Oakley resident who worked for Contra Costa Health. The crash has raised fresh questions in the East Bay about high-speed chases, even as law enforcement agencies and prosecutors said they are following a county protocol that requires an outside review when a death follows a police action.
Police said the chain of events began late Tuesday morning when officers learned a gray Honda sedan reported stolen was moving from Antioch toward Oakley. Oakley police said an officer spotted the car about 10:24 a.m. near Main Street and Bridgehead Road after Antioch police alerted neighboring agencies that the driver was heading into Oakley. Investigators said the Honda was traveling at extreme speeds as it entered city limits, and an Oakley officer pursued for roughly 2 miles before a supervisor ordered the chase terminated.
Within moments, police said, the stolen Honda reached the intersection of O’Hara Avenue and Laurel Road and struck De La Cruz’s Tesla as he traveled through the crossing. Surveillance video described by investigators shows the Honda running a red light on O’Hara as the Tesla moved along Laurel, and the impact pushed the Tesla over a center median and into flames. The stolen Honda then hit a Honda SUV, officials said, turning the collision into a multi-vehicle wreck that shut down the intersection for hours.
Firefighters arriving on scene faced an intense vehicle fire and multiple patients trapped in wrecked cars, according to the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. Battalion Chief Craig Auzenne said crews worked to extricate people from the vehicles and transported four patients to area hospitals while one person was pronounced dead at the scene. He said responders also had to manage hazards associated with an electric vehicle fire, including the risk of toxic smoke if battery packs become involved.
Authorities said three teenagers were inside the stolen Honda. All three suffered major injuries, police said, including one teen who was ejected during the crash. Their names were not released because they are minors, and officials did not immediately provide their conditions. The occupant of the Honda SUV was also taken to a hospital, authorities said, though investigators have not publicly described the extent of that person’s injuries.
Police have not said whether the teen believed to have been driving the stolen car will face charges, or when prosecutors may decide whether to file a case in juvenile court. The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office confirmed it is investigating, and Oakley police said the California Highway Patrol is also involved. Officials described the review as routine under the Contra Costa County Law Enforcement Fatal Incident Protocol, which is typically used when a death occurs in the context of law enforcement actions such as pursuits or uses of force.
The crash killed De La Cruz, who was remembered by his employer as a valued member of the county health system. Contra Costa Health said De La Cruz worked as a nurse in its Detention Health division and that the organization was supporting staff members affected by his death. The city also issued a statement calling the incident tragic and offering condolences to his family and loved ones.
Investigators have released only limited details about what prompted the initial attention on the Honda, beyond stating it had been reported stolen. Oakley police said the car was believed to have been stolen days earlier and that officers were told a firearm was associated with the vehicle when it was taken. Authorities have not said whether a gun was recovered after the crash or whether any shots were fired during the incident, and they have not released any information about whether the teens are suspected in additional crimes.
The pursuit itself remains a key focus of public attention because of how quickly it ended in tragedy. Oakley police said the car was moving at speeds that reached about 80 mph, and that the pursuit was terminated because of the danger posed by the driver’s behavior. Police said the crash occurred only seconds after that decision. Video described by investigators shows an Oakley police vehicle arriving at the intersection shortly after the collision, as flames rose from the Tesla and smoke drifted above the roadway.
In the neighborhood near the crash site, residents said they were shaken by the violence of the impact and the speed of the events. One neighbor, Rick Reed, said the victim was a familiar face who often drove his children to school. “It’s terrible,” Reed said. “The high speed chases don’t make sense to me. This guy lost his life.” Another neighbor, Michael Bias, questioned whether a chase was needed at all, saying the risks can spill onto people who have nothing to do with a theft or a pursuit.
Officials have not released an estimate of how fast the Honda was traveling at the moment of impact, and they have not described whether traffic signals, braking, or other factors played a role beyond the report that the Honda ran a red light. Police also have not said whether De La Cruz had any chance to avoid the collision. Investigators typically reconstruct major crashes by measuring skid marks, examining vehicle data, and reviewing video, but authorities have not said when those findings might be made public.
Tuesday’s crash also revived a broader debate across California about police pursuits, which can reduce the distance between officers and suspects but can also raise the risk to bystanders when a driver refuses to stop. Law enforcement leaders often point to the seriousness of certain crimes, the possibility of weapons, and the need to stop dangerous driving as reasons to pursue. Critics argue that pursuits can turn property crimes into fatal events for people who were not involved. In this case, officials said the pursuit was ended, yet the driver continued at high speed and crashed almost immediately afterward.
The investigation is expected to address several questions at once: what was known about the stolen vehicle before Oakley police began following it, how communication occurred among agencies, the length and speed of the pursuit, and the decision-making around ending it. Reviews under the county protocol can include scene documentation, witness interviews, dispatch and radio traffic analysis, and examination of in-car or surveillance video. Authorities have not said whether any body-worn camera footage exists from the pursuit, or whether additional video will be released.
For now, officials said the case remains active. Police have asked for patience as they gather evidence and coordinate among agencies. The teens’ injuries and their status in hospitals could also affect the timing of interviews and any potential court steps, since investigators may wait until doctors clear patients before questioning them.
As investigators worked, the crash scene itself offered a stark picture of the consequences. Video described by witnesses showed the Tesla engulfed in flames near the median after the impact, and debris scattered across multiple lanes. The intersection, a busy crossing in Oakley, remained closed for hours as crews put out the fire, treated the injured, and cleared the roadway. Residents said the closure rippled through nearby streets as drivers were rerouted and police taped off the area.
De La Cruz’s death drew condolences from his employer and local officials, who described him as a dedicated nurse and a member of the Oakley community. Contra Costa Health said he served in a county role that supports people in custody, work that can be demanding and often happens out of public view. Co-workers and community members have shared memories of him as a family man, but officials said the family asked for privacy as they mourn.
The next milestones in the case include the completion of crash reconstruction and the release of investigative findings under the county’s fatal incident process. Prosecutors could also decide whether to file charges connected to the stolen car, the pursuit, and the crash once investigators present a full report. Authorities have not announced a date for any public briefing or for the release of a final summary.
Author note: Last updated February 27, 2026.