On July 22, 2017, at about 2:25 p.m., an officer from the Gilroy Police Department attempted to stop a stolen vehicle in the area of First Street and Wren Avenue in Gilroy. The driver of the vehicle initially yielded to the officer and then sped off driving southbound on Wren Avenue at a high rate of speed.
The officer gave chase but quickly fell behind due to the driver's speed. Within seconds of the driver fleeing, the stolen vehicle collided into a tree at the intersection of Wren Avenue and San Miguel Street.
The solo-occupant and driver was trapped inside the vehicle with major injuries. Officers provided initial life saving measures as the Gilroy Fire Department arrived and extricated her from the vehicle.
Police and Firefighters worked tirelessly to save the driver's life.
The driver was transported to a local trauma center where the she succumbed to her injuries. The initial investigation indicates the driver of the stolen vehicle may not have been wearing a seatbelt.
The Santa Clara County Coroner’s Office was later able to identify the driver of the stolen vehicle as Rya Leonard, a 28-year-old female with ties to Gilroy and San Benito County. Leonard was found to have outstanding arrest warrants from two nearby counties and she was on probation in Santa Clara County for 496d (a) PC- Knowingly buy or receive a stolen vehicle.
The investigation is ongoing and is being conducted by the Gilroy Police Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT). Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call (408) 846-0350.
