Harrowing footage captured the moment a man fleeing during a domestic violence incident led police on a wrong-way, high-speed chase down a California freeway before causing a fatal crash.
Orlando Montes, 39, showed up armed at his ex-girlfriend's Ontario, Calif., home on May 5, threatening to break in if she didn't step outside. The woman's brother, who called police, said Montes had a history of domestic violence involving a gun, according to authorities.
Responding officers located Montes inside his car and attempted to negotiate with him to exit the vehicle. Instead, he fled down surface streets and southern California's 60 Freeway — right into oncoming traffic.
Dashcam footage showed the nerve-wracking, near-misses with several cars.
"He called my mom at that point, that was when he was in the police chase. And he told my mom he was going to try and make it to her house," the suspect's sister, Fabiola Montes, told KABC-TV.
Montes ultimately caused a fatal, multi-vehicle car crash, that took the life of 44-year-old Amanda Powers, who was on her way to help a friend move, her family said.
But the collision didn't stop him from continuing to evade police and then an attempted carjacking. He subsequently fled on foot, armed with a handgun.
Montes was shot to death by an officer after refusing to drop his weapon.
Fabiola said her brother was battling mental health issues.
"He knew it and that's why he was trying to get help. He wasn't getting professional help but I think going to church was helping him."
