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Published on 06/09/1999 All articles from this issue

Traffic fatality at Foothill Expressway intersection follows chase

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By Joanne Griffith Domingue / Town Crier Staff Writer

A police chase that originated in Sunnyvale ended with death in Los Altos when the suspect, traveling in excess of 80 mph, ran a red light and struck another car at 8:18 p.m. last Saturday, officials said.

Yong Kok Jong, 27, a Sunnyvale resident, was pronounced dead at the scene, the intersection of San Antonio Road and Foothill Expressway, said officials with the Los Altos Police Department.

According to witnesses, the accident happened when Jong, traveling toward Palo Alto on Foothill Expressway, failed to stop for a red light at San Antonio Road.

"I saw a blur go by me," said Eric Fuller, who was the driver of the first car through the intersection from San Antonio Road, after the light turned green. Fuller, a Los Altos resident, had turned south onto Foothill Expressway. He and his wife were heading home after dinner at Mac's American Grill in downtown Los Altos.

"I could see a line of cop cars way off in the distance," Fuller said, toward the El Monte Avenue intersection. "Cop cars were not on his bumper," Fuller said.

Jong sped past, running the red light. Fuller looked in his rearview mirror.

"I saw it hit" the next car coming through the intersection, Fuller said. "It was a big, white explosion. We turned back around. "Three police cars were there instantly. We watched an officer walk up to the car. He just stopped.

"Then the car was smoking and on fire," Fuller said.

Los Altos Police Sgt. Mark Macaulay said it would take several weeks to get toxicology reports to see if drugs or alcohol were a factor in the fatal collision.

The two women in the other car were taken to Stanford Hospital for medical treatment, Macaulay said.

"We will be going to the district attorney to see if there is any follow-up," Macaulay said.