UPDATE: Noe Armando Banuelos is back in custody. Watch the video below.
A manhunt is underway in San Bernardino County for Suspect Noe Armando Banuelos, who is accused of causing a fatal crash while fleeing from a California Highway Patrol officer and later escaping custody at a hospital on Wednesday.
The deadly incident occurred in Fontana around 1:15 p.m. when the suspect, driving a white Jeep Cherokee, sped away after initially pulling over on the northbound 15 Freeway near Sierra Avenue during a traffic stop. As the CHP officer attempted to catch up, the suspect exited at Summit Avenue and continued west on Beach Avenue.
At the intersection of Beach and Cherry Avenues, the suspect’s Jeep collided with a red Ford Mustang traveling southbound on Cherry Avenue.
Footage obtained by KTLA shows the Mustang severely damaged, with the driver’s side crushed, a bent front wheel, crumpled hood, and shattered windows. The Jeep Cherokee also sustained heavy front-end damage and was seen smoking before an officer used a fire extinguisher.
Following the collision, the suspect exited the SUV and attempted to flee on foot but was quickly apprehended by officers. Medical personnel from the San Bernardino County Fire Department responded and pronounced the Mustang driver dead at the scene.
The suspect, identified as 32-year-old Noe Armando Banuelos of Long Beach, was transported to Arrowhead Regional Hospital in Colton, where he later escaped custody. Authorities are actively searching for him.