CHP chase ends with suspects crashing into fighter jet on California naval base; 2 killed

ByVanessa Vasconcelos KFSN logo
Thursday, March 31, 2016
CHP chase ends in fatal crash into a F/A-18 at NAS Lemoore
An investigation is underway at Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore after a CHP chase ends with two people dead.

LEMOORE, Calif. -- A California Highway Patrol pursuit ended with the suspects ramming through the gate and into a fighter jet at Naval Air Station Lemoore, killing the driver and a passenger, military officials said.

The incident started around 4 a.m. Thursday when officers spotted a wrong-way driver on State Route 198 south of Fresno and heading toward NAS Lemoore, authorities said.

CHP chased the vehicle as it crashed through the south fence of the airfield and then crashed into an FA-18E Super Hornet on the south side of the naval base.

The passenger died at the scene. The driver died at a hospital. Their identities were not immediately released.

Officials say the car hit the jet's horizontal stabilizer but have not detailed the damage.

Naval Air Station, Lemoore, built in 1961, has two runways and hosts four Carrier Air Wings.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.