Marine Corps Lance Corporal Arrested for Fatal Crash and Kidnapping
Above: Stock Image
Originally Published By Escondido Police Department
“On December 18, 2023 at about 10:28 p.m., Escondido police officers responded to the Dick’s Sporting Goods store on Auto Park Way on reports of a male and two females stealing merchandise. As officers arrived, the suspects entered a pickup truck and fled the scene. Officers pursued the truck east through Escondido onto Washington Avenue, where the driver attempted to make a high-speed turn onto Fig Street. He lost control and collided with a retaining wall. The two female passengers were ejected, and the male driver ran away.
Both adult females were transported to an area hospital, where one was pronounced deceased. The second female underwent surgery and is expected to survive. She told investigating officers that she asked the driver to pull over several times, but he refused to let her out of the vehicle.
The male driver, identified as 21-year-old John Eugene Brand, was arrested after officers found him hiding a block from the crash scene. He was taken to the Vista Detention Facility and booked on the following charges: Vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence Kidnapping Evading police with wanton disregard for safety Evading police causing serious injury or death Evading a police officer Hit and run resulting in death or injury Burglary Conspiracy Brand is a lance corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
The pickup truck he was driving belongs to the U.S. Marine Corps. Stolen articles of clothing were recovered from the truck. Names of the females are being withheld pending notification to their families.”
