Youth Arrested in Crash That Killed 3

A teen-ager is in custody for allegedly leading Long Beach police on a high-speed chase in a stolen car Saturday night that ended in a crash that claimed the lives of three adolescents.

The accident took the lives of Iteana M. Tauanuu Jr., 12, of Long Beach; Atimalala Taimi, 13, of Long Beach, and Tupule Alafutule Jr., 14, said Capt. David Campbell of the county coroner’s office. Alafutule’s residence was not yet known, Campbell said.

The crash also injured two other teen-age boys, who are listed in serious condition at St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach.

Police have arrested the driver, whose name has not been released, on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, hit-and-run and evading arrest. He suffered only minor injuries and was arrested shortly after fleeing the crash scene, police said.

All the victims were passengers in a dark blue 1987 Honda Accord. The chase began when police noticed that the car’s occupants did not appear to be wearing seat belts. A check of the plates revealed that the car was stolen, police said, and the driver sped away when police signaled him to pull over.