Horrific moment teen burns to death trapped in wreck after police chase

09 March 2024 , 23:23

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Horrific moment teen burns to death trapped in wreck after police chase

Police body cam has captured the horrific moment a teenager burned to death after being trapped in a crashed car that was being driven by a 14-year-old.

Destiny Villanueva, 16, died in a car after the 14-year-old driver crashed while involved in a police chase in Los Angeles, US, last month.

It is believed the teens were being tailed by enforcement after noticing the vehicle's headlights were out just after midnight on February 20. New bodycam has now shown the moment police decide to pursue the vehicle, as well as heroic rescue attempts to save the occupants of the vehicle.

In the footage, one officer can be heard saying to another: "It's rainy conditions, we're not going to go in pursuit". Minutes later CCTV footage captured the moment the Toyota Camry hits a traffic pole at Balboa and Ventura Boulevard at high speed before going up in flames.

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Destiny Villanueva, 16, died in the crash (Gofundme)

The officers who were nearby raced to the vehicle where they can be heard asking: "Can you get out?". "I can't get out, my legs hurting," one of the girls can be heard responding.

"You have to get out of the car, get out." Another officer says "Get the driver out," before asking the passenger, 'Is there anyone else in the car?' 'No,' she responds after being removed.

However, the girl who'd initially told officers it was just the two who'd been rescued then said "no, three", indicating that there was a third person in the burning vehicle. Despite their attempts, police were unable to save the third passenger as the vehicle became entirely engulfed by flames.

Newly released police bodycam footage has shown the horrific moment a teenager becomes trapped in a burning car after a crash (LAPD)

She has since been identified as 16-year-old Destiny Villanueva. The teenager was declared dead at the scene with firefighters claiming her body was in the backseat under the drivers seat.

The driver and the other passenger in the vehicle escaped with minor injuries. All three people in the car were friends and lived near each other, authorities confirmed. They also said that the driver 'did not display any sign of impairment' after the collision.

Police managed to pull one of the passengers out of the wreck (LAPD)

A GoFundMe has been set up for Destiny, with a family friend describing her as a "precious daughter whose light was extinguished far too soon". on a . Over $3,000 has already been raised to support the family.

According to the fundraiser, Angie, Destiny's mum, "has dedicated her career to supporting some of the most vulnerable teen girls in LA County, pouring her heart and soul into her work."

Ffion Lewis