Pursuit Driver Suspected in Woman's Slaying Dies in Crash

Police believe the crash was intentional and as of Tuesday referred to the case as an apparent murder-suicide.

A driver sought after the shooting death of a woman in Tustin died in a fiery crash after leading police on a pursuit Monday night, authorities said.

The crash occurred at North Rio Vista and East Frontera streets after the man led police on a pursuit on the 57 Freeway. The sport utility vehicle burned after the driver crashed into a wall on the side of the freeway in what investigators called a murder-suicide case.

"Investigators believe the collision with the wall was intentional as the driver accelerated and failed to brake immediately prior to impact," the Orange County Sheriff's Department said in a statement.

Officials said the suspect barreled into a wall at 80 miles per hour. 

Investigators were conducting an evidence search on the northbound 57 Freeway at Ball Road and attempting to determine the driver's identity. Sheriff's officials said they believe the 29-year-old driver is "the suspect in the murder of" Lahoma Ballester, 55, of Tustin.

"The suspect is known to Ballester, having had a previous relationship and child in common with her daughter," according to the department.

The pursuit began as the Orange County Sheriff’s Department investigated the death of a woman who was found with a gunshot wound at a Tustin residence. Authorities responded to a "shots fired" call at the home in the 18400 block of Warren Avenue. The victim died at a hospital, according to the sheriff's department.

Santa Ana police located a vehicle that matched a description of a vehicle sought in the death investigation. Officials spotted the suspect getting into his vehicle in Santa Ana and getting rid of his gun at another location in Anaheim. The Chevrolet Tahoe driver led police on a pursuit before the fiery crash, said Lt. Jeff Hallock of the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

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Sheriff's officials say that right now there is no apparent motive for the murder-suicide.

Annette Arreola contributed to this report. 

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