14-year-old killed in high speed chase near San Leandro

SAN LEANDRO, Calif. (KGO) -- A Sheriff's chase ended in the death of a boy who was just crossing the street. It happened around 6 p.m. in Alameda County at Ashland Avenue and East 14th Street, near San Leandro.

The boy who was struck in the crosswalk was a 14-year-old freshman from San Lorenzo High School. The mother of one of the boy's friends identified the victim as Ivan Cruz. Cruz was reportedly with two of his friends who were also crossing the street on their way to Edendale Park.

Cruz's body landed about 20 yards away from the point of impact. Witnesses say it was a very sad scene, especially after the boy's mother came out and found her son's lifeless body in the street.

"He didn't have a chance of running or moving. It just hit him. It just came out of nowhere," witness Orfio Najera said.

Najera says Cruz was on his scooter in the middle of the crosswalk when the police chase came flying down East 14th Street. Witnesses say the suspect car was driving southbound in the northbound lane.

"And as soon as he tried to swerve to get on the correct side of the driving area that's when he hit the boy who was trying to cross the street," Najera said. "He flew with the impact and the bus stop sign is what kept him from going any further because his body hit the pole."

"I saw the police cars behind the car chasing him, and it was about maybe five cars and they kept going in that direction," witness Mercedes Chavez said.

Alameda County Sheriff's deputies say they broke off their pursuit of the reckless driver, but then reengaged after he struck the boy. Some witnesses dispute that the deputies broke off the chase.

"I immediately ran over to him and I stood right next to him and his friends came," Chavez said.

The Alameda County Sheriff's deputies say they are still searching for the suspect and vehicle involved in the chase.