FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. — A tragedy unfolded when a high-speed chase led by law enforcement ended in a catastrophic crash, resulting in the death of a Vietnamese tourist and serious injuries to others. Orange County prosecutors have filed murder and arson charges against Timothy Bradford Cole II, identified as a documented member of a white supremacist gang.
Authorities report that the incident originated from a domestic altercation involving a custody dispute. After Cole reportedly lost custody of his children, he allegedly retaliated by setting a bush on fire outside his sister’s fiancé’s home on Dec. 2. His sister had previously involved child protective services, which officials believe motivated the arson.
Hours following the arson, police located Cole near the scene attempting to return to his vehicle. As officers approached, Cole fled, initiating a police pursuit. The chase culminated just over a mile from the start when Cole ran a red light at a high speed, colliding with a white BMW at the intersection of Ellis Avenue and Magnolia Street. The impact was devastating; his truck rolled over after hitting the vehicle.
The crash claimed the life of 25-year-old Hong Ngoc Nguyen, a visitor from Vietnam, and left the BMW’s driver with severe injuries, including a fractured spine and pelvis.
In a statement, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer expressed sorrow over the events, calling the outcome a turn of a vacation into a nightmare due to unforeseeable events triggered by someone Nguyen had never met.
Cole, who faces almost 120 years in prison if convicted on all charges, is set for arraignment on Dec. 20. This incident has since sparked discussions on public safety, pursuit policies, and the impact of personal disputes leading to broader harm.
As the community and law enforcement reflect on the tragic events, there is an ongoing consideration of measures to prevent such devastating consequences from high-speed pursuits in the future. The discussions focus on optimizing the balance between enforcing the law and ensuring public safety, amidst calls from the public for stricter policies regarding police chases.