Full Notification

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Lt. Kevin Toth
DATE: February 15, 2021 PHONE: 760-839-4444

UPDATE: TWO MEN KILLED IN FATAL TRAFFIC COLLISION

On 02-12-21, a white Ford Explorer driven by a 13 year-old girl and her juvenile companion fled from the police after a traffic stop. The girl lost control of her vehicle while making a left turn from eastbound Mission Ave to northbound Ash St. The Explorer slid into the bushes killing two men who were sleeping next to a block wall.

The two men have been identified as Mateo Salvador (33) and Sofio Sotelo Torres (51). At the time of the crash, they were believed to be living on the streets in Escondido. We were unable to locate or identify any next of kin for the men.

The police investigators are working with the Juvenile Branch of the District Attorney’s office on all potential criminal charges. These types of cases are extremely complex and it can take some time to analyze evidence in order to support the filing of criminal charges. The DA’s office is responsible for filing all criminal complaints and they will work hand in hand with the Escondido Police traffic investigators.

Anyone with information regarding crash is encouraged to contact Officer Adan Martinez at 760-839-4465 or via our tip line listed below.

Please follow the police department via Facebook at www.facebook.com/EscondidoPolice and Twitter and Instagram (@EscondidoPolice). Text EscondidoPD to 888777 for community alerts from Nixle.

To report any suspicious activities in your neighborhood, you may contact the Police Department directly, or you may make an unidentified call on our “Anonymous Tip Line” at (760) 743-TIPS (8477) or via our Web site at police.escondido.org.
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