A man was hit and killed by a semi-truck in Yuma County on Wednesday after a police chase that began with multiple carjackings, police said.
Police said Alfredo Panduro Zendejas, 44, is suspected of stealing firearms and a vehicle ahead of a deadly police chase where he reportedly opened fire on an Arizona Department of Public Safety vehicle.
Around 7:45 a.m., the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office received a report of the theft of a large water tanker and two firearms near Arabby Road and County 9 ½ Street in Yuma, Yuma police said. Stated. Just before 9:12 a.m., police announced that Zendejas threatened a woman with a gun while attempting to carjack her on East Her 40th Street near 12th Street in East County.
Police believe Zendejas carjacked an Acura in the Arizona Western College parking lot around 10 a.m., threatened another woman with a gun, and left a stolen water tank behind, according to police. The stolen Acura was found around 10:41 a.m. in the 16th Street and Pacific Avenue area, police detailed.
According to Yuma Police, Somerton Police chased Acura up Avenue 3E around 3:57 pm, along with law enforcement from other agencies. According to police details, the chase headed east on Interstate 8 to Foothills Boulevard, then west on North Frontage Road, south on Avenue 8E, and east on South Frontage Road.
Police said the crash occurred on Fortuna Road while driving on South Frontage, but the Acura was headed to Foothills Boulevard, heading west on North Frontage Road, heading north on Fortuna Road to Highway 95. Headed west on the line.
Police said Zendejas abandoned the Acura and fled north on foot, shooting DPS vehicles at 16th Street and Pate Drive.
Zendejas then carjacked a Hyundai Accent sedan from a woman in her 70s at East 15th Place near East Monroe Street, according to police. Police said he fired a gun twice near the woman and a passenger during the carjacking.
Police said law enforcement continued to pursue Zendejas until he was hit by a semi-truck at the intersection of County 15th Street and Avenue 3E.
Zendejas was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
No other injuries from the crash were reported. Police said Zendejas had an “extensive violent criminal record.”
Anyone with information about this incident should call the Yuma Police Department at 928-373-4700 or 928-78C-RIME at 2-7463 to remain anonymous. Information leading to an arrest could give the tipster a $1,000 cash reward.
