Matyes Getachew Car Accident and Obituary – On Friday, May 2, 2025, a tragic incident unfolded on the Foothill (210) Freeway in La Cañada Flintridge, ending in the death of 26-year-old Matyes Getachew following a high-speed police pursuit. Authorities confirmed Getachew’s identity after the violent crash, marking a tragic end to a series of events that began with a felony grand theft charge in Ventura County.
The pursuit began around 10 a.m. when deputies from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department responded to a report of a grand theft at a Target store on Ventura Blvd. in Camarillo. Getachew was accused of stealing merchandise worth over $950, an amount that qualifies as felony grand theft under California law. Upon the deputies’ arrival, Getachew fled the scene in a black Honda SUV, leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase. The pursuit quickly escalated as Getachew entered Los Angeles County, with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) taking over the pursuit at approximately 10:50 a.m. near the Ronald Reagan (118) Freeway at Balboa Boulevard in Granada Hills.
During the chase, CHP officers reported that Getachew was driving at dangerously high speeds, at times exceeding 110 miles per hour. The suspect weaved in and out of lanes, putting other motorists at significant risk as he transitioned onto the eastbound 210 Freeway. As the pursuit neared the area just west of the State Route 2 interchange, disaster struck.
At approximately 11 a.m., Getachew’s SUV collided with the rear right corner of an orange dump truck. The collision caused severe damage to the left side of the vehicle, scattering debris across the highway and bringing the chase to a tragic and abrupt halt. CHP officers, who had been closely following the pursuit, responded immediately to the crash site near Ocean View Boulevard, a location at the intersection of Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, and Montrose. Despite the officers’ desperate efforts to revive Getachew with CPR, paramedics from the Los Angeles County Fire Department pronounced him dead at the scene at 11:18 a.m.
The crash led to significant traffic delays, with several lanes of the eastbound Foothill Freeway and the transition lanes to the Glendale (2) Freeway being closed for hours as investigators processed the scene. The California Highway Patrol’s Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team was called to examine the circumstances surrounding the fatal collision, including reconstructing the crash and determining the exact speed at the time of impact. Authorities are also assessing whether any additional factors, such as mechanical failure or driver impairment, contributed to the tragic outcome.
Matyes Getachew’s untimely death has sparked discussions surrounding the risks and consequences of high-speed police pursuits in densely populated urban areas. While law enforcement officers are tasked with apprehending suspects, such high-speed chases can have deadly consequences, endangering the lives of both the suspect and the public. The incident has highlighted the challenges law enforcement agencies face in balancing the pursuit of criminals with public safety.
As the investigation continues, officials are urging anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office at 805-654-9511. The tragic end of Matyes Getachew’s life serves as a stark reminder of how quickly situations can spiral out of control, resulting in irreversible consequences.
In the aftermath of this fatal incident, the community mourns the loss of a life, while the circumstances surrounding the pursuit continue to raise important questions about the effectiveness and safety of police chases.