The dramatic sequence of events began with an argument between the two parties late Monday night at a restaurant on the north end of the city, prompting the suspect to chase the three victims -- two men and a woman -- in their car, the Montclair Police Department said.
The suspect at one point rammed the back end of the other vehicle, causing it to spin out and slam into a tree near Buena Vista Arts-Integrated Magnet School on San Bernardino Street. The male passenger ran from the scene, and the female passenger was abducted by the suspect.
She was then taken to Ontario, where she managed to get away from her abductor and call 911, and she was transported to a hospital for treatment, authorities said. Police could not immediately confirm the woman's account that she and the other two victims were shot at during the car chase.
The driver of the crashed car was found unresponsive. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. His identity was not released.
"It sounded like an explosion," said witness Katina Edwards. "The car was on the gate and a gentlemen had fell out of the passenger side. I just seen them trying to resuscitate him. He wasn't breathing, and they just kept on saying 'He's not breathing, he's not breathing.' And then they put him on the bed and just went ahead and put him in the ambulance."
The suspect remained at large Tuesday afternoon. No description was available. Police initially said two suspects were involved in the incident.
The circumstances that led to the original dispute were under investigation.
"It appears that this is not a random incident, and all involved parties are associated with each other," the Police Department said in a statement.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to call the Montclair Police Department at (909) 621-4771. Witnesses wishing to remain anonymous may also contact We-Tip at the number above.