BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- A man was struck and killed by a driver who attempted to evade a spike strip during a high speed pursuit in Bakersfield early Saturday morning, according to police.
The Bakersfield Police Department said officers were in pursuit of two men who were in a vehicle that attempted to flee from officers at around 1:30 a.m. near Clover Mountain Court and Pine Meadow Drive.
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Officials said officers in the area were looking to arrest Isaiah Andrade, 21, on a warrant in relation to gun and gang-related offenses. In a statement, police said Andrade got into a vehicle, allegedly driven by Gabriel Lopez, 20, and fled, driving at high speeds.
According to police, Lopez and Andrade were traveling southbound on Airport Drive near Olive Drive, where officers had placed spike strips to stop or slow down the speeding vehicle. Lopez tried to avoid the spike strip, lost control and struck a man who was on the sidewalk, police said.
Lopez and Andrade fled the scene and the unidentified bystander was pronounced dead. The two suspects were taken into custody and taken to a hospital for treatment, the Bakersfield Police Department said.
The victim will be identified by the Kern County Coroner at a later time.
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Lopez was booked into the Lerdo Justice Facility Saturday morning for second-degree murder, evading officers and conspiracy. He is being held on $1.3 million bail, according to inmate records.
Andrade was booked into the Lerdo Justice Facility for evading officers, conspiracy, gang and firearm-related charges.
The two suspects are due in court on Wednesday.
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